Auckland Markets

Markets are a favourite activity for all who enjoy a bit of leisure time – and if you too love weaving through lines of stalls and discovering unique local and international pieces to give to friends and family (or, better yet, yourself!), then Auckland is the treasure trove for you. Specialist or one-off markets are always happening in the region, but there are a couple of Auckland markets which have become fixtures in recent years – we’ve compiled the best of them for your convenience so collect your Auckland rental car from Omega and start exploring.

Staying in the city and looking for a weekend activity? Then make sure to experience La Cigale French Market, an award-winning food market which runs on Saturdays as well as Sundays. There you’ll find all the usual French suspects – that is, pastries, artisan cheese, baguettes – alongside only the best Kiwi produce (think Akaroa salmon, Manuka honey, meats). The coffee and sweet treats only add to the allure; from crepes to gingerbread, to fresh fruit, there’s no shortage of cherries on top at La Cigale.

If shopping in the dark is more your style, the Auckland Night Markets – held in seven different locations across the city and ever-expanding into more – are a must-see. Mt Wellington, Botany Town, Henderson, Papatoetoe, Pakuranga, Glenfield Mall, Sylvia Park: at each of these locations you’ll find an eclectic mix of ethnic cuisine, music and performance, clothing and crafts. With each different market held on a different night of the week, every evening is sure to be filled with vibrant smells and sights. Silo Park at Wynyard Quarter also puts on a summer night market, with Fridays dedicated to selling books and clothes, and Saturdays to arts and crafts.

Image:Flickr

In terms of South Auckland markets, Otara Flea Market is known for its Maori, Samoan, Tongan, and Nuiean arts and crafts, and often live cultural performances set the scene for the Saturday morning market. The food’s hard to beat, too, so if you’ve been hankering after a chop suey or have always wanted to try Maori Hangi, Otara Market’s the place to be!

Perhaps you want a truly rural market experience: if that’s the case, then travel North-East from Auckland to Matakana, a quaint town in the Rodney District which holds its Village Farmers’ Market every Saturday between 8am-1pm. You’ll meet the local marketgoers as well as the artisans selling their wares, and the market’s emphasis on sustainability really sets it apart. Also, slightly out of the city are the Clevedon Village Farmers’ market and the scenically-set Coatesville Country Market, which offer a miscellany of goods each weekend. If you plan on visiting the regions further flung markets, hire a rental car from our CBD or Auckland Airport car hire branches and enjoy Omega’s affordable unlimited kilometre rates.