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Win a Gisborne Getaway for Two!

Over on Instagram, we’re giving one lucky Neat Places follower (plus their mate!) the chance to soak up the happiest corners of this sunny region.

11 Walks to Do in Canterbury and Where to Reward Yourself After

Native bush in the hills of Hinewai Reserve overlooking the Akaroa Harbour
Christchurch & Canterbury

There’s nothing quite like getting outside and touching some grass. Great for the mental health, great for the quads.

Fill Your Cup: The Complete Wellness Guide to Ōtautahi Christchurch

Beauty therapist at Face.it Sumner giving facial treatment to client
First things first, we’re not here to be your health guru (we love a burger, we love a bowl of fries). However, what we do promote is partaking in daily practices that encourage a sense of thriving and jiving.

Plan Your Kāpiti Coast Getaway: 7 Neat Stays

Table and chairs on a balcony overlooking the coastline.
Kāpiti Coast

Whether you’re after glamping luxury, off-grid escapes, or boutique hideaways, there’s something to suit every mood and moment on the Kāpiti Coast.

From Playgrounds to Pancakes: Your Kid-Friendly Kāpiti Coast Guide

Two children running on the boardwalk in and amongst native bush.
Kāpiti Coast

Filled with family-friendly outings, the Kāpiti Coast is perfect for little explorers, curious teens, and grown-ups who still know how to have fun.

We celebrate the neat restaurants, cafes, shops, and galleries around New Zealand. Whether you're a local or visiting you'll find something on Neat Places to tickle your fancy.

New and Notable

Naveya & Sloane Jewellery

Wide shot of jewellery showroom with cabinet full of jewellery and a shop assistant behind at Naveya & Sloane Jewellery.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Fashion key icon.

Naveya & Sloane is a jewellery house born and bred in New Zealand, and in mid-2025, they opened their Christchurch showroom on Oxford Terrace.

Black Betty

Front counter with table in the foreground at Black Betty.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Black Betty on Christchurch’s Madras Street first opened in February 2011, and since those early days, it has cemented itself as a firm favourite on the Ōtautahi...

Jhana Millers Gallery

Large exhibition on the gallery wall at Jhana Millers Gallery.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

Housed in Wellington’s heritage-listed Mibar building, Jhana Millers Gallery is both a celebration of emerging art talent in Aotearoa and a quiet oasis from the noise...

Paleta Gelateria

Various different gelato flavours are displayed in a fridge, shop assistant scooping from one flavour into a cup at Paleta Gelateria.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Any time of the day is a good time for gelato, and if you are in the vicinity of Christchurch’s Little High Eatery, we recommend making a beeline for Paleta Gelateria.

Lustre Kitchen and Dining

Staff member places a food dish down on the table with wine glasses and other plates.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Restaurants key icon.

Lustre Kitchen and Dining is a hidden gem in Paraparaumu that oozes class and indulgence, where rustic and contemporary flair come together for a truly special venue for any...

NZ Native Oils

Shop interior with shelves and displays of products at NZ Native Oils.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Goods key icon.

Hidden away in Otaihanga, NZ Native Oils is a place where the world slows down, where you’re invited to heal through the pure goodness of natural remedies.

The Roastery

Warehouse building exterior with roller doors open and customers walking in to The Roastery.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Cafes key icon.

Who knew Paraparaumu’s coffee scene was this good. You’ll find one of the picks of the bunch at The Roastery, set in a converted warehouse on Sheffield Street.

WineCraft

Shop frontage of WineCraft with bike outside the front door.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Goods key icon.

It’s instantly clear that WineCraft in Paraparaumu isn’t your usual bottle shop.

Stories

Dining Your Way Around the Kāpiti Coast

Chef finishing plating a dish on the kitchen at 50-50.
Chill community vibes, stunning beaches, and mouthwatering eateries, the Kāpiti Coast has it all.

Fresh and Local in Gisborne: Tairāwhiti's Food Producers on Show

Store with a table in the middle with plenty of fresh produce and other products.
Gisborne

In sunny Tairāwhiti Gisborne, food is more than just what’s on the plate. It’s also about the hands that sow, tend, harvest, bake, press, pour and shape it. A tumultuous few years (featuring both a global pandemic and multiple severe weather events!) have seen an already closely knit region band even more tightly together to survive and thrive.

Highway 35: The Slow Road to Something Special

Road runs alongside the coastline, the waves on the beach meet the sand.
Gisborne

The route north from Gisborne is more than just a road, it’s an experience, unfolding through landscapes as striking as they are diverse. State Highway 35 is a ribbon of tarmac draped along the Pacific Coast, curving past surf breaks, sleepy bays, and tiny townships where the welcome is as warm as the sun. Rich in Māori culture and framed by pristine natural beauty, this is not a drive to hurry. If possible, it’s a journey to linger over, one stop at a time.

A Taste of Tairāwhiti’s Food Trucks: Your Guide to Gisborne's Best

Food truck in a carpark with the road in the background.
Gisborne

Gisborne’s food truck scene is bursting with flavour, creativity, and community spirit, offering everything from authentic Greek souvlaki to indulgent desserts, handcrafted pizzas, and real fruit ice creams. Whether it’s at a private or public event, parked up by the beach in summer, or simply going with the flow, Gisborne’s food trucks sure know how to serve up delicious dishes that reflect both the diversity of global cuisine and the abundance of local Tairāwhiti ingredients.

11 Independent Food Producers of Central Otago

Two customers inside the roadside stall of Forage and Gold.
Central Otago

When winding through Central Otago roads, you may have noticed that it’s never far between roadside stalls, orchards and fertile gardens. When we think of this beautiful region of Aotearoa, we cast our mind to plucking juicy stone fruit straight from the tree, jars of homemade preserves with sweet handwritten labels, and a community that loves to be elbow-deep in soil.

12 Hour City Itineraries