This quaint garden centre and nursery offers a vast selection of plants, specilising in roses and fruit trees. The beautiful rural grounds and villa are located close to the city on Cambridge Road. Relax after your shopping mission, or re-fuel ready for the task ahead at the Villa Ridge Cafe. The cafe offers locally roasted coffee and a selection of yummy brunch and lunch options to relax and enjoy indoors or out. A kids’ menu is also available. Our locally roasted coffee beans produce a rich smooth taste that have people coming in everyday, some times twice a day.

I love this beautiful garden centre in Papamoa. The experience starts with easy parking in a rural location and offers a great selection of plants. I’ve been there plenty of times just to enjoy the great food and a coffee in the cafe. If gardening isn’t your thing there’s a fantastic gift shop to browse, packed with gorgeous homewares and specilising in indoor and outdoor table settings.

If you’re lacking gardening skills you can still buy the results of someone else’s hard work and green-fingered talents at the Farmers’ Market each Saturday morning. Held at the Tauranga Primary School on Cameron Rd the market runs from 7.45am to midday on Saturday and features fresh fruit and veg as well as beautiful pre-made foods, fish, bread, cheese, samosas and plenty more!

Gorgeous blooms are one of the best things about spring and Rosie’s floral studio can deliver them to your door or arrange them to brighten the tables at your wedding or special event. The flowers in their wild and whimsical bunches come from local growers and flower markets, as well as their own gardens. Look out for their funky peppermint Morris Traveller at the Little Big Markets.

This experienced husband and wife team open their Oropi nursery to the public on the first and third weekend of each month, from 8am until 2pm. Their range includes native and flowering shrubs, fruit bushes, ground covers, flaxes, grasses and hedging options - all for $3.50 each. They can help you choose the right plant for that dark corner round the back or sun drenched front yard.

This funky Mount Maunganui store is a great place to escape the socks and undies this Father’s Day. They sell vintage items, designer furniture and practical objects with a point of difference and class. One of my favourite shops to browse.

More about style than practicality, Flax is a good place to shop for the Dad who has everything. Despite being hidden in surburbia, this little shop is always pumping - often with loyal regulars. They sell Kiwiana - minus the tackiness - and plenty of outdoor ornaments for property proud Dads.

If you really are after socks and undies for Dad - or a t-shirt, belt or togs, these guys offer old-fashioned customer service. Charlie Robertson, and his team - including son Jamie - know their products and will go the extra mile to ensure the right style and fit.

If shouting Dad an amazing meal is more your thing, Comida is a great choice. Specialising in Spanish tapas and great wine, this place offers a relaxed, fun atmosphere and caters really well to large groups. The calamari is to die for and if you strike it right, there’s often life music too.

What better way to remind Dad of how amazing the Bay of Plenty region is, than to show him the beauty from the air. These guys offer scenic flights across the Bay, Rotorua and Coromandel, departing from Tauranga Airport or Kiwi 360 in Te Puke. Great for Dads who are in need of a new experience.