A place of abundance, stroll the streets and shop in the boutique shops of Akaroa before you relax with a glass or two of wine along the harbor promenade.
Akaroa Dolphins Shop
We are located on Akaroa’s central waterfront. We have a large selection of New Zealand-made products. Stone the Crows and Jill Main are just a few of our suppliers.
We are open all day. See us if you need a gift, idea, or souvenir of your time in Akaroa.
Blue Pearl Gallery
We are a family-owned business and the ‘Home’ for the Blue Pearl. We are just 6 km from the Blue Pearl Farm in Akaroa and situated on the Main Wharf.
Our Master Craftsman Jewellers Jack and Kaz, who have combined over 75 years of experience, handcraft New Zealand’s largest selections of Blue Pearls. Learn more about the Blue Pearl process and its history in our information room.
Our Gallery also offers unique jewelry in Baltic Amber, Tahitian Black Pearls, and Greenstone. We also have a unique handmade collection of antiques and many other items.
We can help you bring back your jewelry – we can take your gold and precious stones and design and make a piece only limited by your imagination.
Here’s a little history.
Jack learned his craft from his father and began to use the tools as a child. Jack continued the family business, becoming a European-trained Master jeweler with more than 50 years of experience. Jack was a designer at Pierre Lang, Vienna’s largest European jewelry company. In 1986, Jack realized his dream of immigrating to New Zealand with his family. Jack opened a small shop and workshop in Christchurch to further his skills, adding Kiwi inspiration to his designs.
Roger Beattie was the force behind Eyris Blue Pearls. Jack met Roger in 2000. Roger Beattie and his team at Eyris source the finest Blue Pearls in the world and provide us with them. We continue to work closely with them. These are set in custom-designed pieces, and the entire range can be viewed in our Blue Pearl Gallery in Akaroa.
Some of the most notable artistic achievements by our team include:
*Our team was tasked with creating a unique Eyris Blue Pearl brooch for Queen Elizabeth. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key presented it to Elizabeth in September 2013. It has been worn many times since then in honor of the Queen.
*During the Royal Highnesses Tour of New Zealand & Australia in 2014, Kate Middleton of Cambridge, Duchess of Cambridge, was presented with a pair of Eyris Pearl earrings.
*2019 was the 30th year of the Cancer Society’s ball. With 30 being the year of the Pearl’ and 30 being the year of the Pearl’ we felt it only right to donate an Eyris Blue Pearl diamond enhancement for the charity auction.
*We donated an Eyris Blue Pearl pendant and earring set to “Variety – The Children’s Charity.” Miss World 2003 wore this pendant set at a live auction.
*The creation of Hayley Westenra, a Kiwi singer.
Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
Barrys Bay Dairy Factory was founded in 1895. We are proud to have been in business for more than 125 years. Barrys Bay, one of nine small dairy cooperatives on Bank Peninsula, was initially built in 1895. It is now the only remaining cheese factory and an icon of the region. Our current cheese factory, built in 1953 to allow for expansion, was by all accounts the most modern in NZ then. We still use early English settlers’ traditional methods and recipes from England to NZ. However, we also have some European-style recipes that we have adopted. Havarti and Maasdam are our favorite cheeses. Fresh, local milk is vital to making consistent, beautiful cheeses. On your way to Akaroa, you should stop by our factory shop. You can see the Cheesemakers at work through our viewing window during weekdays (Sept-May).
Ask our team to play the DVD on cheesemaking. Get complimentary cheese samples, and browse our selection of local wines, craft beers, preserves, and other goodies.
The factory shop is open from 9 am-5 pm weekly.
Glowing Sky
The Glowing Sky story began on Rakiura/Stewart Island, New Zealand. There are no more houses—only forests and 3,000 km of the mighty Southern Ocean connecting us with Antarctica.
We are a family-owned and operated company that specializes in Merino Wool clothing. Our small factory handmade all our garments in New Zealand’s South Island. They are sold exclusively through 6 NZ shops as well as our website.
Merino – Nature’s Super Fibre – Keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There are many options for clothing, from basic underwear to practical T-shirts and hoodies to luxury wraps and shawls. There are many styles to choose from for men and women. Visit our Akaroa store, the newest Glowing Sky store.
Peacock
Colorful Clothing for Everyone
Handcrafted quality clothing made in Akaroa by Emma Manhart and Mark Kolff. The clothes are manufactured in New Zealand by small-scale artisans. We create a world of color, style, and fashion unique to Mr. Peacock. All pieces, from the funky patterned men’s shirts to the vibrant women’s dresses and jackets, are cut and tailored to make you feel great. Wearing Mr. Peacock clothing will make you shine, regardless of shape, color, or pattern. We love helping people dress boldly and explore their Peacock side. See us or visit our online shop, my peacock.co.nz.
We are between Akaroa’s historical bank and St Peter’s Church, 8 Rue Balguerie.
Pohatu Penguins Art and Crafts Shop and Booking Office
Are you looking for something unique? Visit our small souvenir shop and meet our friendly staff to find the perfect gift. Local artists create arts and crafts, including jewelry, toys, t-shirts, books, and photography.
Ask about Pohatu Penguin tours or Sea-kayaking safaris. Hiking tours are also available.
Akaroa Butchery & Deli
We offer a variety of fresh meats and Akaroa salmon as well as charcuterie, manuka-smoked bacon, ham, and bacon for your next dinner party, weekend barbecue, or relaxed Christmas. Brendan and Ben make fresh, gluten-free sausages every week on the premises. You’ll often hear hams and bacon smoked while walking Rue Lavaud. We have a variety of European and local cheeses and pates. Pickles. Olives. You can also find award-winning local olive oils, sauces, pasta, and meaty accompaniments. You can also find your daily essentials: eggs and pie.
Pot Pourri – Gift Shop & Fudge
Pot Pourri offers a wide range of products, including beautiful homewares and souvenirs, books, books, toys for children, and our beloved fudge, which we have made since 1997. Pot Pourri’s kitchen makes our delicious butter and cream fudge. Over 50 flavors are available, and we offer complimentary tastings. Take a look and enjoy a bite! We are always happy to help you. We are open seven days a week, 9 am-5:30 pm.
Browse our fantastic selection of local books.
French Akaroa by P. Tremewan
Akaroa and Horomaka, Banks Peninsula, Lyttelton By S. Lowndes
All Our Volts: Electrifying Akaroa, J. Wilson, and A. Davis
B. Allison’s Akaroa Precinct
Le Bons Bay, The Story of a Settlement by G. Brittenden
Land Very Fertile, edited by C. Atkinson & D. Gregory
City and Peninsula by Akaroa Civic Trusts and Christchurch
B. Bassett Broad: Walk with me to Onawe
Maori Place Names Around Akaroa Harbour by S. Lowndes
J. Martin’s The Giants’ House
Banks Peninsula Walks by Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust
Toitu Te Whenua: The Land Remains by Akaroa Civic Trust
H. Wilson: Plant Life on Banks Peninsula
Murf, Murf the Dolphin Dog from S. Warner
We also have a wide selection of New Zealand Novels, Children’s Books, and others.
Little River Gallery
A Peninsula landmark. You can enjoy delicious food and coffee in this peaceful sculpture garden—a fantastic gift shop featuring quality, original, and unique New Zealand art. Our Gallery hosts regular exhibitions that feature contemporary NZ sculpture, painting, and jewelry. For current and upcoming shows, visit our website. You can view our artwork live on our website.
Fire & Ice
Fire & Ice, a family-owned business that has been around for many years, is one of Akaroa’s most iconic attractions. Margy, Dai, and Esther, the owners, travel around the globe to find quality minerals, faceted gemstones, and pearls. These are brought back to their workshop to be used by their jewelers to create their wide range of jewelry. You will find friendly, knowledgeable staff who are passionate about the work they do. They will happily show you their exquisite range of Gemstone Jewellery, including New Zealand Greenstone, Paua Shell, and the stunning New Zealand Blue Paua Pearl.
Our stock also includes pure essential oils sourced from all over the globe. Our range of massage oils is blended by our aromatherapists on-site. Fire & Ice, a display of light, color, and scent from the earth, is a must-see when visiting Akaroa.
Akaroa Farmers Market
From October through April, the Akaroa Farmers Market is open every Saturday between 9.30 am and 1 pm. The Banks Peninsula is home to passionate gardeners and a bounty of produce. Stallholders sell locally grown fruits, veggies and herbs, honey and olive oil, nuts, preserves, jams, and sauces made from local produce, pastries, lavender products, and plants.