Capital classics: Long-lasting retail

The Village Goldsmith has been a cut above since 1981. Visit their all-in-one showroom, design studio, and workshop housed in the historic Dominion Building. The space blends tradition with modernity. Glass cases showcase pure gems, and a wall of greenery reflects in a large statement mirror. At the back, watch eight full-time jewellers crafting custom pieces in real time. 

Founder Ian Douglas has always had boundless curiosity and passion. That energy helped the team create the world-renowned Floeting® diamond setting. The Village Goldsmith also collaborates with a local pounamu carver. Whatever your style, each piece reflects Kiwi innovation, service, and craftsmanship.

Opened in 1984, Hunters and Collectors is a Wellington institution. Locals know it for its whimsical window displays and comprehensive selection of vintage fashion. The shop’s owner has a decades-long love for fashion, enabling her to seek out amazing finds. This makes Hunters and Collectors the spot for special and rare vintage pieces. Think Vivienne Westwood, Louboutin, Gucci, and Issey Miyake. There are also top Aotearoa designers like NOM*d, Zambesi, and Wynn Hamlyn. Whether you’re on the hunt for a timeless classic or an outrageous statement piece, Hunters and Collectors has you covered.

Slow Boat Records has been selling vinyl and CDs, old and new, on Cuba Street since 1985. The capital’s oldest independent record store, it’s a haven for music lovers near and far. It’s easy to spend a few hours flicking through the racks, digging out old favourites and discovering new ones. 

In the decades since opening, it has welcomed several celebrity clients. It also hosts intimate in-store performances from local and international acts.

Since 1997, the Cuba Street shop has been providing solutions for the search for the perfect gift. From sunglasses and socks to candles, cushions, ceramics, books, and toys, Iko Iko’s shelves are brimming with possibilities. 

Maximalism is the theme, with every visual space filled with funky finds. Much of the stock is New Zealand-made, so it’s a great spot to find a fun memento of the capital. Last-minute gifts are also an easy find.

Now into its third decade, menswear store Mandatory has been providing Wellington and beyond with high-quality clothing, suiting, and accessories. Its pieces are designed and made at its Ghuznee Street store and workshop. 

Set up in 1997, the industrial-sized space is one of the few workshops in the city where you can see the team making clothing in the workroom and putting it straight on the shop racks. If it’s quiet when you walk into Mandatory, you can hear the crisp ‘snip snip’ of scissors cutting through fabric or the juddering hum of a sewing machine.

If you’re looking for the largest range of handmade ceramics in Wellington, then look no further than Vessel. The store was opened in 2003 after spotting a gap in the market for local potters and makers. They produce bowls, cups, plates, and general homeware. You’ll find earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain, either hand-built or wheel-thrown. The knowledgeable staff can talk to you about the processes the potters use and how to care for each piece. Vessel is also a go-to for New Zealand-made woollen products and other household accessories. All of it is carefully selected and beautifully presented in the Victoria Street store.

Stylish Wellington locals have been shopping at Good As Gold since 2004. Independent and family-owned, it’s a curator of cool in the capital. Find effortlessly stylish streetwear and a curated sneaker collection in a genuinely welcoming space. 

The store is known for bringing bold international streetwear and fashion brands to local shelves before anyone else. The store’s footwear collection is a go-to destination for discerning sneakerheads. The team behind Good As Gold hand-picks every brand and product, ensuring everything is of the highest quality. 

Looking for high-end designer clothing with a strong antipodean twist? Coco is an elegant clothing boutique on Willis Street. Since opening in 2005, the store has built a reputation among the fashion-conscious. It provides a curated selection of clothing, footwear, and accessories from New Zealand and Australian designers. Zimmermann, Shjark, Dune New Zealand, Saben, and Charmaine Reveley are among some of the chic brands available. The shop is on the ground floor of a grand 1920s heritage building. Coco’s interior is mellow and sophisticated. Warm wooden floors are offset by bright white ceilings and naked pendant lighting.

Established in 2006, Wellington fashion brand Kowtow has championed fair trade and organic. The Wellington label offers modern womenswear in minimal silhouettes. All of its products are made from renewable and sustainable fibres and produced through ethical manufacturing. 

The light and airy store reflects the brand’s ethos. Large windows provide transparency to the street outside. Shelves are made from sustainable materials. A comfortable couch encourages you to sit and relax. It’s a calm and welcoming space to take your time browsing the racks.