Pauanesia

Authentuc kiwiana without the plastic or price. Friends returning from the adventures of their OE or new friends continuing on their word trips, Pauanesia has something for all occasions!

Pauanesia has been on the High Street strip for as long as I can remember, serving up eclectic Kiwi and Polynesian-themed gift ideas that are most definitely a cut above your average souvenir shop. I always send visitors there to pick up a little something to take home as the edit is always fun and the staff lovely to deal with.

Tired of the same old baubles and lights? These Kiwi Christmas tree decorations from Pauanesia will give your tree a little extra pop, and are sure to prove a hit with the kids.

Pauanesia do Kiwiana without the cheese, and these cosmetic bags are a case in point. Available in a range of sizes, at $9.95 the smallest makes a Secret Santa gift any woman would be happy to unwrap!

I walk past this shop often and I have to go in every time, pulled in by the sea of brightly coloured felt kiwis spilling out the door. There's a tonne of Kiwiana places around the CBD, and most of them feel very "same-same" - but there's something different about this shop. Everywhere you look there's some treat for the eye, a little story. Beautiful pottery in crazy psychedelic colours and dream-like shapes, and paua shell EVERYTHING. Their cushions are beautiful (fern prints which look more like botanical illustrations than the normal overdone touristy patterns), and they have a section of the wall covered in small decopage badges with maps of each Auckland suburb. It's the little felt Kiwis that give the store its personality though... every single one is a unique character, in checks, tartan, stripes and stars, sitting on shelves, couches and on the floor. It's a great spot for gift shopping.