Located at the end of the wharf in Raglan with open-air views of the harbour, this fresh fish market and outstanding takeaway shop transforms your errand to buy fish into an exotic holiday. It can be busy in the summertime but the epic scenery and wharf-side activity will keep you entertained, and if you visit on a Sunday afternoon you’ll be serenaded by live music too. The staff are always super friendly and happy to answer questions or help with a special request, and they love fish so much that they don’t sell anything else with their chips – so don’t ask!

Nothing is fresher or more satisfying than catching your fish dinner yourself. There are brown and rainbow trout aplenty in Lake Karapiro…so they say, though part of the fun is guessing at what depths and what flies will entice them to bite! The best fishing is at the head of the lake by the Arapuni dam, though trolling the lake edges has also been known to land a laudable ten-pounder or two! Lake fishing is a great way for kids to get involved in putting food on the table and learning about the food chain, and you’ll create treasured family memories while putting tucker on the table (if you’re lucky!).

Offering melt-in-your-mouth hot manuka-smoked salmon to Waikato market-goers, The Rakaia Salmon stall is a must-stop when you make your morning rounds. You can find Rakaia Salmon at Cambridge Farmers’ Market every Saturday, Hamilton Farmers’ Market every Sunday, Te Awamutu Farmers’ Market every Thursday, as well as the less-frequent local Waikato markets like Gordonton and Tamahere Country Market. Visit their website at www.rakaiasalmon.com for stall locations and days, and get ready for perfection to grace your tastebuds!

When you are a Waikato local, you know this place as the " fish shop on Mahana Road" because it's such a well-loved legend. So many of my mates head to Te Rapa every week to get the freshest fish in town. I love the Seafood Bazaar because every time I go here, I know I get the freshest fish in town. And when it's time for my partner and I to have a special occasion, we like to select a live one from the lobster tank or we stock up on tuna steaks because often this is the only place in town to get them!

No matter where I go in the Waikato, I always will run into The Fish Van. This is a mobile seafood shop that operates rain or shine and I love that you get awesome local knowledge and service as well as the chance to take home smoked and fresh fish, mussels, eel and scallops. They also serve up another specialty - Pokeno Bacon products. Yum! Hot tip: To find out where the van will be each day, hit up their website at www.thefishvan.co.nz

Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, organic, Fairtrade - this cafe has options for everyone. You’ll find it packed out with locals eating, catching up, and making use of the free wi-fi. Tip: The Shack is the perfect spot for brunch - try the Buttermilk Waffles!

My absolute favourite place to buy ice cream in the Waikato. Delicious flavours, excellent value (from $2.50 a cup!), of homemade, Italian gelato. The Raglan roast coffee will get you zinging, while the salted caramel is a scoop of pure luxury. They’ve also got some fantastic fresh fruity sorbets and a couple of unusual combos such as rice and cinnamon. Changes through the season.

Not only one of the quirkiest, coolest eco-retreats in New Zealand, Solscape also offers a cafe with an enviable view over Raglan’s gorgeous Manu Bay! Come chill out on the grass outside with a coffee and delicious meal - many of the ingredients come directly from their gardens. They serve coffees and cakes all day (try the Powermonkey cookies!), and breakfast-lunch til about 2pm. Tip: The Pacific Green smoothie is an absolute winner.

Beautifully made coffee in a beautiful cafe. Ideal for sitting in the window people-watching, Mavis & Co has a stylish interior that makes the coffee taste extra-special. A perfect place for day dreaming. Add a sweet finish and try a piece of their homemade fudge. Tip: Avoid lunchtimes if you’re after a quieter coffee stop, this cafe is popular.

Two Birds offers so much goodness. They’ve got a delicious menu including a range of salads, packed with super ingredients such as quinoa and kale. The chefs here are passionate about healthy living and use all natural flavours - finish up with one of their raw, refined sugar free cakes. Yum.

I highly recommend tasting a brew from this small scale family run brewery. Passionate about their craft, they produce distinct flavours. Stop by on a summery afternoon to sample their beer at The Pour House, which also does yummy food.

Of course Good George has to be on this list. The Hamilton favourites are continuing to gain popularity with their ever-expanding delicious range of craft beer. Home to probably one of the best IPAs, these guys also have a healthy bottled selection and often have guest ales on tap. Staff are always happy to give you a taste and recommend their favourites. Tip: Beer lovers should take the brewery tour!

As it’s name suggests, this bar and restaurant is located really close to Hot Water Beach. This makes it a great spot to enjoy a meal and a cold pint after a day spending a day on the coast. Tip: Look out for their summer festivals and music events.

Amazing selection of local and international beers and wines. Ask the staff for recommendations if you’re stuck choosing - in the past I’ve found them both helpful and knowledgeable. Then you can host a beer tasting at home, or take it down to the beach with a bbq.

Although you might not think of Speight’s as craft beer, at the ale house in Hamilton, you’ll find a healthy selection of their craft range - including the amber wheat (my personal favourite), porters and pale ale.

I love traditional, so red roses from a mysterious admirer are the perfect valentines gift! At Amy’s they have an extensive online shop, with flowers, chocolates and teddies too, so you can tailor your special gift. Their delivery service is excellent - easy, punctual and professional.

Lilypot’s is a sweet little florist in Raglan. It’s always so bright and colourful, with cheery helpful ladies to help you find what you’re looking for. It’s a lovely shop to pop in to, but if you can’t they also take phone and email orders for delivery.

The florists at Petal Passion have a lot of positive feedback. Their bouquets and arrangements are beautiful, offering both classic and alternative styles. Why not switch the red roses this year for these gorgeous bright sunflowers? If you know your girl’s favourites, you can call and ask for those, or if you’re keeping the secret, order online for special delivery!

Not actually twigs… but stunning fresh flowers! All kinds of bouquets and gift packages - see the selection online. A very professional, quick and easy service, with huge variety. Definitely the florist to go to for wide choice. I love that they use all kinds of unusual things, like bamboo and berries, to spice up their arrangements.

This florist has an amazing selection of roses. Ideal for valentines, have a look through their pink and red bunches with optional vases, chocolates and teddy bears. What I like most about the flowers here, are the wonderful colour contrasts as combinations. Have a look for yourself and find something your special someone will love!

This gorgeous little cafe makes the YUMMIEST mocha - we even went back for seconds! In the little Coromandel town of Tairua, this tiny shop is a real gem. It sells lots of little crafts and locally made gifts, that you can peruse whilst waiting, that’s if you don’t get caught up chatting to the lovely ladies that work there.

One of my all-time favourite places to drink coffee . With all the beans freshly roasted on site, you can wander around Raglan in the evening and smell the deliciousness wafting out. Head down to the hole in the wall style cafe, order your favourite and absorb the sunny small town vibes.

Coffee here is always perfect! Mr Milton’s is my go-to treat spot. If I’m in Hamilton I’ll pop in and have coffee and cake (usually the totally delicious vegan chocolate brownie). It’s a cool but relaxed spot, which makes it a good place to meet a friend, and/or dive into a book.

Beautifully made coffee in a beautiful cafe. Ideal for sitting in the window people-watching, Mavis & Co has a stylish interior that makes the coffee taste extra-special. A perfect place for day dreaming. Add a sweet finish and try a piece of their homemade fudge. Tip: Avoid lunchtimes if you’re after a quieter coffee stop, this cafe is popular.

Lovely cafe serving Hamilton roasted Weka coffee, made perfectly by excellent baristas. I can’t fault this place- the staff, drinks and food seem to always be of the highest quality and there’re some comfy couches and outdoor seating, so you can sit back, sip and enjoy the sun. Locals and visitors love it here.

I love visiting Clinic Indulge because they give me a perfect manicure! Their work is always clean, professional and like the name suggests, very indulgent. I also love that you get to enjoy a lovely mini massage, warm staff and choose from a number of treatments. Offering lots of polish colours from Orly as well as the all-important shellac.

What I love most about The Darling Room is their fantastic service. Not to mention the decor at this cute-as-a-button salon. They make sure you leave with beautiful nails and have lots of options for design and colour so you can take your pick. I also love these girls’ philosophy and approach and can't wait to try some of their other treatments.

Good value, classic manicure in a clean and fresh salon. Excellent staff, relaxing and friendly environment and good range of OPI polish. Tip: If you’re a regular, be sure to pick up a loyalty card.

I love, love, love the ‘Spa Manicure’ at Green Door because it's just a little bit more than your regular shape and polish. They also include a hand soak and mask as part of the treatment and it leaves your hands feeling divine. If you want a lovely little treat to make your hands feel beautiful then I highly recommend this local spot. Don't forget to check out their reward schemes - every sixth treatment you can book yourself in for another for free!

Bespoke is a gorgeous day spa in a beautiful country setting. I’d go here for a day of indulgence and pampering, including a top class manicure. Clean, modern decor and lovely staff make it easy to relax.