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With its art galleries, upmarket gift shops, trendy clothes, fine foods and lively Saturday morning market, Matakana would surely be an ideal place for a spot of Christmas shopping. Mahurangi Matters spoke to shoppers on a typical Friday morning to find out what makes the place hum and where it could improve …
I enjoy the arts and crafts around Matakana, and they’ve got a cool new gallery – Pigment. I’m an artist myself and perhaps one of the galleries will feature my work one day. It’s also so beautiful around here and that brings people in. Though a lot of places are not affordable for everyone – it’s definitely for the upper middle-class market.
Emma Gustafson, Leigh
I like the village atmosphere – the trees, the nature, the fish pond. It’s all so tranquil. I like the Two Boutique and the other stores for different reasons, and I especially like the shoe shops. However, the playground is not super child-friendly. It’s not good for little ones – too awkward. There’s not much they can do on it.
Kelly Maire, Auckland
It’s changed a lot since I was a kid. We used to come up by dinghy from Algies Bay – but you can’t do that now because there are too many rocks in the way. The market had car boot sales and people setting up benches on trestle tables – a proper Kiwi market. It’s more commercialised now and more expensive but that does not necessarily mean it’s bad. It’s just different. The shops are beautiful.
Kristen Swann, Matamata
There is good food and the people are nice. I especially like the Ringawera Bakery and the Summer Sessions surf shop. I like to drink a cup of hot chocolate down by the river. It’s the perfect place for me.
Roch Bartoli, Matakana
It could do with a bit more diversity. There’s better clothes shopping in Auckland. Here the selection is limited. They could do better.
Trish Lynds
There’s good variety and all the people in the shops are so friendly and helpful, and the parking is easy. Studio Matakana has all sort of gifts for Christmas and there are beautiful things at Tea & Tonic – candles and face creams. They’re luxurious, though a bit expensive. Matakana is a good place for Christmas shopping as long as you are not looking for mass produced stuff. It’s a place for more thoughtful gifts.
Bev Baggstrom, Omaha
I tend to go to the bookshop, Four Square and the Op Shop. The bookshop is great – the selection of cards and goods is really good. I like going to the market sometimes but it’s getting too busy – too many people from Auckland.
Anne Ronaldson, Rainbows End
I quite like The Bach and Summer Sessions and there’s lots of gifty stuff here. It’s good for Christmas shopping. The parking on weekends can be a problem, but generally it’s pretty good here.
Sophie Stanhope, Auckland
Last time I was here the parking was a bit of a mess. But there are quite unique shops and I would definitely come here for my Christmas shopping. They are New Zealand businesses offering something a bit unique – something a bit more thoughtful.
Lauren Matheson, Snells Beach
Aesthetically, it’s very much a village – with a good range of different and unusual things. The bookstore and the bakery are especially good. But the road is a nightmare and it’s difficult for pedestrians. The carparking needs a complete rethink and maybe there should be some pedestrian islands on Matakana Valley Road to cope with the increased traffic. Matakana is a victim of its own success really.
Martin Dawe, Omaha
I love the Matakana Village Farmers Market and there’s a good range of locally produced food. I like the honey. And I love to come here for a coffee. Sometimes the traffic gets a bit congested.
Jeffrey Miao
I’m here to see what’s on offer for Christmas, but it can be a bit expensive – depending on the shops. I don’t come on weekends because of the crowds and the traffic. I find it a little bit claustrophobic. I live in Warkworth and most of what I would get at the Matkakana market I can find in Warkworth. Sure, they have some unique things here, but they are not what I need on a daily basis.
Anon, Warkworth
The Four Square is our main shopping place for basics – it’s a bit dearer than Warkworth but still well priced. And I use the ITM hardware store quite a bit. We appreciate the restaurants and the picture theatre. In early spring when the cherry blossoms come out the place is an absolute picture.
Anon, Matakana
