Henry Trading

Located on the sunny side of Lyttelton’s main street, Henry Trading is the kind of shop you’ll struggle to visit quickly – the amount of lovely, interesting and well-made things requires a good chunk of time to be admired.

The Lyttelton space is brimming with gifts, candles, ceramics, natural body products, woollen goods, toys, kitchen tools, desk supplies and more. But there’s one common theme weaving its way through this tempting eclectic collection that goes deeper than just beautiful appearances – a devotion to quality and care. These items are made to last and made to love.

There’s also a heavy focus on supporting local and national makers at Henry Trading with plenty of Lyttelton-made goodies such as ceramics, jewellery, skin care, art and most famously ’Franks’ - the cute polymer clay characters that have made quite a name for themselves and come in various colours.

Henry Trading inhabits the entire ground floor of what used to be Mahars Drapery. While the structure pays homage to days gone by, the products within it showcase local makers who create things by hand, the old fashioned way.

In the back of the shop you’ll find music albums, publications and story books by local authors. One such title, Miscellany, was published by owner, Maree Henry. A brilliant photo book, it features photographs taken by everyday Kiwis and developed by Maree at the one-hour photo store where she worked before opening Henry Trading. Much like the magnificent wares found here, the book is a celebration of the everyday. Chopping boards, knives, kitchen brushes, soaps, cups, plates and bowls all zig zag the well stocked shelves here, too.

Originally named Portico and housed a few doors down, Henry Trading relocated to its current spot after the 2011 earthquakes and expanded to take up the entire first floor in 2020. Maree has transformed the historic spot into a beautiful and much loved little haven of good things made by good people. A simple ethos that makes this charming spot a favourite for anyone who sets foot inside.