2 Best Shopping in East Coast and the Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Te Puia was established in 1963 to preserve Māori heritage and crafts. At the institute you can watch master wood-carvers and expert flax weavers at work and see New Zealand greenstone (jade) sculpted into jewelry. The institute's shop and gallery, called Āhua, sells fine examples of this work, and the prices ranging from a few hundred dollars for simple carved pieces to thousands of dollars for museum-quality sculptures and other crafted pieces reflect the quality and amount of workmanship.

This fascinating spot sells opossum products and houses a mini museum about the opossum's effects on New Zealand's environment. Fur items include hats, gloves, and rugs; a soft blend of merino wool and opossum fur is also made into sweaters, scarves, and socks.