Originally Posted by sunshine_and_rain

Welllllll, hmmm, where to start??? Shopping in NZ is nowhere near the experience it is in the UK. NOTHING at all like Next, and kids clothes here are not as nice as at home. The nearest thing to next is Pumpkin patch.
www.pumpkinpatch.co.nz
there are also some of these srores in the UK. The next best thing after that is Just Kids
www.justkkids.co.uk
Both have lovely clothes but still I miss next and debenhams.

As for department stores - well no there really aren't any. Farmers is the closest thing as far as a nationwide store goes (There is one dept store I think in AKL and Welly) (Not been to South Island). Farmers sell everything you would need though. www.farmers.co.nz.

Shoes and handbags - well, most towns usually have a nice shoe shop - but actually I find shoes quite expensive here. There are places called The Shoe Warhouse which are much more reasonable but not great quality. There is a shop called overland. Can't find the website though at the moment - lovely shoes - but - fairly expensive. Nice quality though. If you find the website - aha - just found it - www.overlandfootwear.co.nz. When put into pound its not too bad - but remeber guys you won't be earning pounds here you'll be earning dollars. Farmers sell shoes and handbags too. There is a store called Glassons here for all those that like funky fashions which you'll only wear for one season. Another store thats nice is Sussans. They sell ladies clothes and sleepwear. AND they also do short fitting trousers. Again NOTHING like Next here for shopping.

Most towns and cities have shops/stores that are locally owned and sell beautiful clothes and shoes and handbags and undies etc, but they are not national stores. SO there are lots of lovely clothes here but nicely they are not mass production stores. AKL has some beautiful stores in Newmarket and Ponsonby.

Shopping here is just very different. It took me a bit to get used to it, but now I am. I still miss Next though and River Island and Debenhas and Ravel.....BUT..... like I said there are lots of nice stores here, but more boutiques and one-offs. I also find that the market here is either top end of cheap end, there is very little inbetween. Ladies clothes shops that are locally owned tend to be expensive and so places like Farmers and Sussans and Glassons (www.glassons.co.nz) etc are cheaper, but, don't always have what you want. It just means you get to shop at alot more shops to get what you want. No bad thing if you ask me!

Also - lots of outdoor clothing shops,
example - www.outdoorsman.co.nz, and they stock great casual wear as well.
(Oh and the picture on the home page is the store here in Rotorua as its the headquarters)
as well as masses of surfing and skiing and diving and sportswear shops.

There is also of course - the great Kiwi institution that is "The Warehouse"
www.thewarehouse.co.nz - where you can get just about anything!

Also have some good denim stores:
www.justjeans.co.nz
www.jeanswest.co.nz

Well, I think I have rambled enough There are lots and lots of good stores here. Its just very very different to home. I still prefer the UK for shopping, and I miss it like mad being as I am a complete shopoholic! But, shopping is not the be all and end all in life - other stuff makes up for me missing my old stomping grounds in the UK. (I still miss HUGE shopping centres and BIG department stores, and Next etc, ), but I don't miss the crowds and life feeling like it was on hyperspeed when we went shopping for a day! Don't get time to go for a day now!

Hope some of this drivel helps you!

Originally Posted by Steve'N'Serena

Hi Dave
I am just doing a bit of searching around for crown and came up with this give it a look and let me know what you think
www.crownrelo.com or phone 0800227696
hope this helps
Steve

Originally Posted by sunshine_and_rain

Don't think so - there is one in OZ though and can get stuff shipped here - hang on i'll check - just have always used trade-me - nope just checked and there isn't one. Maybe I need to start one? LOL? ( a quiet whisper now as well - this not negative - before anyone jumps on me - just an observation/personal opinion - however all of us POMS do have the sme observation - there are no proper sausages in NZ either - well not great tasty scrummy ones like we are used to - not sure why 'cause the meat is just superb, but sausages are just not as nice, and you can't get gammon steaks either - well not great big thick ones like we are used to - there I said it - not intended to start world war 1 - so as I said JUST an opinion - and a whispered one)

Originally Posted by uk+kiwi

Hi there - just thought I would let you all know that there is Ebay in NZ - see http://pages.ebay.com/nz/

so now you can hunt away on another great website

Originally Posted by Biddy

Mobile phones:
Have just bought a prepay mobile for use here and am going to buy a NZ sim card for use there - I'll get you the details soon!