In a country with a strong sense of community like New Zealand, even the biggest city is a big supporter of all things local. Markets throughout Auckland are filled with produce, artisan products, home baking and naturally-made goodies for visitors to savour. Just look at some of the area’s very best to get an idea.
Live music, artisan baking, local produce, honey, cheese and even a knife sharpening service — if you’re looking for an eclectic Saturday market, Matakana is the place to go. The market is always filled with locals, visitors, and Aucklanders heading on a weekend day trip not too far away from home. Matakana is a 40-minute drive from downtown Auckland and is also renowned for housing some of the best wineries in the region.
This Auckland icon is a definite must-visit for foodies. La Cigale French Market is held every Saturday and Sunday right outside its namesake café and bistro. Its stalls are filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goodies, seafood, cheese, salami and various vendors selling some great staples from Europe and beyond. Recently, La Cigale has also taken over the farmers’ market in Britomart — so anyone who is around the city centre can relish this continental occasion.
Relying on more than 200 stalls on any given event, the bustling Auckland Night Markets bring an exciting Asian flavour to the market scene. Highlights include street foods from all corners of the world (predominantly from South East Asia) as well as a range of inexpensive produce and crafted goodies. The dynamic markets run across different locations: at the Botany Town Centre on Wednesday, in Henderson on Thursday, Papatoetoe on Friday, Pakuranga on Saturday, and Glenfield on Sunday.
It’s not uncommon to hear that more than 20,000 people have visited the Avondale Sunday Markets on a typical Sunday morning. Since starting out in the early 1970s, this has become New Zealand’s biggest one-day market. The suburb’s local Asian and Polynesian culture is always well-represented throughout each stall — the market is a great place to grab an array of fresh produce, artworks, crafts, clothes, ready to eat foods, among various other goodies.
The Otara Flea Market in South Auckland runs every Saturday from morning ’til noon, and is famous for having a strong Maori and Pacific influence. Foods, jewellery, clothing, arts, crafts, and nick-knacks of all sorts can be found on any given visit. Occasionally there are live musical and cultural performances too. Hangi, island doughnuts, steamed buns, bacon and egg rolls and chop suey are among the diverse foods you’ll get to taste as you scour through the market’s stalls.
Held every Sunday from morning until noon, the Clevedon Farmers Market is a quintessential village fanfare. Along with luscious produce stalls, the market also includes pony rides for children, live music, and an interesting assortment of ready to eat treats like wood fire pizzas and bacon rolls. Once you’ve finished browsing the outside stalls, you can also head across the road to the local arts and crafts market at the Clevedon Community Hall.
This mostly-indoor market is held every Saturday and Sunday mornings and is the ideal place to visit whenever the weather is looking a bit iffy. The Hobsonville Point Farmers Market livens up the local ferry terminal with musicians, an incredible trove of foodie finds, as well as an eclectic assortment of locally produced dips, preservatives, and oils.
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Oratia Farmers Market
A literal farmers’ market, held at the Artisan Wines vineyard at the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges, the Oratia Farmers Market is the perfect go-to for those heading out to explore the lush forestry and beautiful beaches in its surrounds. You can even pick up some breakfast or picnic supplies to supplement your journey. Hot pies, free range eggs, homemade breads, handmade cheeses, fresh spring rolls, coffee, and live music are just some of the highlights in this Saturday market.
