Farmers and Craft Markets
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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Topic: Farmers and Craft Markets
Posted By: weegee
Subject: Farmers and Craft Markets
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 4:37pm
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So with Christmas on the way (eep!) it's time to start doing the rounds of the markets. There really seems to have been an explosion of these in the last few years so I'n not sure which ones will be worth going to. SO I thought it might be a good idea if we can share which markets we've been to and what we thought of them.
Personally, I live quite close to the Kaukapakapa, Waitoki and Helensville farmers markets. Kaukapakapa: there's some lovely fresh produce and gorgeous looking baked goods, but I have never bought anything cos it's all way too pricey ($12 for a loaf of bread, anyone?!). The best stall is http://www.plushtoys.co.nz/ - Plush Toys but there's nothing there you couldn't get online. Helensville: is good for jams and preserves and that's about it. Waitoki: always has a decent array of second hand books if you're interested in trawling through, and is more reasonable for produce, plants and seedlings. We used to live near the Manurewa market and that was fantastic for cheap fruit and veges but everything else was basically knock offs of brand name t shirts, bags & basketball caps. Don't know if it's changed in the last year. I haven't been to Coatesville since last Christmas but when I went it was brilliant, lots of hand made things, heaps of gift ideas. (Plus I have to say the cafe over the road is fabulous and really child friendly, it's worth an outing.) Does anybody have any experience of other markets? I'd really like to hear about the Birkenhead Artisan Market or Titirangi - or Takapuna, haven't been there in more than a decade 
I've heard good things about the Clevedon Farmers Market from a foodie perspective, has anyone been to that one? It's close to my ILs ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Replies:
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 5:21pm
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Takapuna is pretty good for standard fare. A lot of the stuff there is food - and can also be found at the French Markets in Parnell on the Sat.
Also second hand stalls, seedlings, fresh flowers, fruit and veges. The really crafty stuff doesn't usually appear there though - for that you need to wait for the monthly Devonport markets. Coatesville has always been good when I've gone. -------------  
 
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Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 5:31pm
| Weegee when is the Helenville one? That's my neighbourhood and I didn't even know there was a market- is it just for Xmas? |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 5:47pm
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lol it's year round every Saturday 8am-1pm. I was probably a little bit scathing - it is ok for fruit & veges and often there's good fish there. Sometimes there are a few of the gypsy caravans there iygwim but they can be a bit hit and miss.
(ETA it's at the showgrounds) -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 6:19pm
| How did I miss that? Obviously I don't get out enough |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 6:35pm
I dont get up early enough for markets 
But this cafe in Coatesville sounds good, does it have a name? ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 6:53pm
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Julia most markets in Auckland don't finish until 12pm
Is the cafe over the road the one that's a converted house and has heaps of picnic tables outside? -------------
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 7:03pm
And Coatesville and Britomart have www.thegodmother.co.nz - the Godmother who makes the world's most AMAZING cupcakes as all the July 08 mums will attest (thanks Kiwikid  ) - check her website for the dates she's at each market. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Freesia
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 7:49pm
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I think the Coatesville cafe they're talking about is possibly Fernielea's. We've been there a few times with our coffee group and has a decent outside play area for kids. -------------  
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 9:23pm
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yes and yes to Bobbie and Freesia, it's Fernielea I was talking about. Yum food (great Eggs Bene, sorry preggy ladies!), nice picnic area and good fenced play area. Doggy friendly too if you're that way inclined.
Oh yeah Fliss I'd forgotten The Godmother was there!  Maybe we should organise a meetup at Coatesville -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 9:58pm
Oooo definately! Where is coatesville?  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 17 October 2009 at 7:45am
| am sojealous ladies - i love markets |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 17 October 2009 at 9:24am
So how long have you lived in Auckland  Further northwest from you, kindof near Albany village if you go the back route. Weegee will respond more accurately and possibly with a streetview map of it
Bugger, just realised DH is going to the viaduct now - I could have gone to the Britomart market  ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
lilfatty wrote:Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 17 October 2009 at 11:32am
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Palmy has got a few markets now lizzle, Albert St and I'd heard there was one in Coleman Mall on a Sunday.
I used to love going to the Feilding ones on a Friday when I wasn't working. The fish and sausage sellers were awesome. Are the Avondale markets still going? That's where all the asians shop for their vege - they always seem to be able to hunt out a bargain. For sheet entertainment value can't beat Otara Markets very colour full. for those down this way, Hawke's Bay Markets on a Sunday are really good, awesome array of produce ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 18 October 2009 at 3:40am
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I go to the Clevedon Farmers Market (Clevedon Showgrounds) and the Clevedon Craft Market (at Clevedon town hall) EVERY Sunday ...the farmers market is awesome, lots of flowers, fresh produce and foods you wouldn't otherwise get at your normal shops etc. Place is always packed. Goes from 9-12.
The Craft market is my little haven, LJ absolutely loves going to it weekly, it's our little thing ...i buy most (if not all) of our gifts for people from there. Such a lovely friendly atmosphere. Craft Market runs from 9-2pm
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 18 October 2009 at 8:13am
| we go to the awapuni market every sunday - just nice to have a variety. |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 18 October 2009 at 10:43am
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St Heliers Craft market is on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month until about 4pm at the War memorial hall behind the library building.
That's today BTW -------------
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 18 October 2009 at 6:06pm
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Matakana has a farmers market every sat (I think) but personally its aimed at those Aucklanders that go up for their weekends, its over priced and tiny, very trendy place to go but I wouldnt go there to get a bargin
I think Puhoi has a farmers market too? Whangarei have a very good one but have to get there early to get good produce From memory the Taka one is awesome too! ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 18 October 2009 at 8:00pm
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I loved the matakana market, but I was probably in the category of the Aucklanders that head up there for the weekend nice food, but nothing much in the way of gifts. They do some some nice little shops there, but pretty expensive.
Clevedon is also great. I love the plants and all the yummy food they have. I havent been to Takapuna or Parnell French markets but have heard they are pretty good. Otara/Manurewa are great for fruit and veges aswell. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: heaf3
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 4:25pm
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whangarei has a great one, but i never seem to be able to get up in time!
been to the takapuna markets a couple of times, a few years ago mind, but they were pretty good ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Twinboys2b
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 4:28pm
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Oh, what a great thread. I love Markets.
I went to the Clevedon Farmers Market recently(ish) and at the same time they had a miniture plane meeting thing going on (mini as in the plane still lands on a field runway) which would have been great for when the boys are older to watch. The different food available was great (still a little pricey) and they had good priced seedlings but nothing out of the ordinary although I would have loved to go on the miniture pony ride but I think that was for kids
It's worth going just for a walk around the town. Will definately be going to some more around Auckland if I get my arse into gear in the weekend. ETA: Mangawhai Markets are on Sunday's and are good for seadlings and china seconds but that seems to be about all but now it's worth going just to eat at Bennets Cafe - yum yum yum yummy. BUT in summer the Mangawhai Heads markets are AWESOME - all sorts of crafts, toys, hand made clothes & arts on sale. ------------- 3yr old gorgeous ID twin boys. |
Posted By: ohanlon82
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 4:39pm
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I love the Clevedon ones also - they are very good
Been to Avondale but that was awhile ago New ones just opened in Highland Park - East Auckland - not sure how good Sunday from 7am till 12pm Must make it down there one day ------------- http://lb2f.lilypie.com/TikiPic.php/RPaODBg.jpg |
Posted By: Twinboys2b
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 4:42pm
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Anyone been to the Alexandra Park Farmers Market -worth going or just expensive typical Auckland neiche (spel) stuff? ------------- 3yr old gorgeous ID twin boys. |
Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 8:34pm
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lol twinboys2b I live in Mangawhai and LOVE Bennetts!!! and the cafe YUM!
Mangawhai also have a gala day around 2-3rd Jan every year, its pretty good ------------- http://lilypie.com"> [/url]
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Posted By: Twinboys2b
Date Posted: 19 October 2009 at 8:37pm
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Very jealous of you living in Mangawhai - what a beautiful place. My parents have a batch on Cullen Street but will be building a new one over the summer so unfortunately we don't get to enjoy it with the boys this summer but will be great for next summer.
ETA: very dangerous living near Bennets as I'd visit it each day to 'try' their sample choc they have on display aka: get my chocolate fix for free he he ------------- 3yr old gorgeous ID twin boys. |
Posted By: Ant
Date Posted: 20 October 2009 at 11:18am
We go most Sunday's for our fruit and vege. Good for seasonal stuff and sometimes an interesting range if you want something a little different. Some of the growers don't do it year round, so can be a bit hit and miss. Some craft stuff, but I don't usually bother with it. There are a few meat sellers, one or two for smoked fish, a few for french pastries (a bit overpriced I feel), some cheeses, breads and that sort of thing. I generally have a look around, get my vege and that's it. Keep an eye on the hours as they went through a period where it felt it changed every week! As in the add on my fridge says 9.30-1.30, but then I'd get there a bit past 1 and people would be packing up because they had closed. I think it may be 9-1 now, but not sure. I didn't find I did much better by getting there early as people seem to have lots of produce. Parking is easy and plentiful, and the men who direct you to a park a nice and friendly ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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