The Aviary

Tucked away in a light and bright sanctuary on Childers Road in Gisborne, The Aviary is the sort of place you walk into and exhale deeply. From the moment you near the entranceway, you can’t help but feel soothed by the coastal-inspired tones and natural materials framing the storefront. 

The Aviary is home to a collective of three local women-owned businesses who share the space together: Isla & Olive by Leigh Rutherford, Studio66 Jewellery by Helena Andersson, and The Book Apothecary by Wendy Baxter. While each business offers something different, their aesthetics and philosophies wonderfully complement one another, resulting in a selection of beautiful pieces for you and your home.

The concept of the collective came about a couple of decades ago under a different name, starting out as a studio space for artists and makers to work together before evolving into a retail experience. Different creatives and businesses have come and gone over time, however Helena from Studio66 has been on the scene since the beginning. Today she sells her own limited-edition 50s and 60s-inspired jewellery with a Scandi twist, while using the store’s platform to showcase work from other NZ jewellers and artists. We love that.

Throughout the rest of the store, you’ll find a beautiful selection of homeware, clothing (including a pre-loved section), toys, skincare, art, and more pieces for everyday living. Many of these Gisborne and NZ-crafted products have been thoughtfully hand-picked by Leigh, who started Isla & Olive as a way of providing the community with natural, ethical and plastic-free alternatives. Rounding out the trio is Wendy from The Book Apothecary, who keeps the bookshelves well stocked with a Rudolf Steiner-inspired range of enchanting and whimsical stories for children. Wendy also puts her artistic abilities to good use, hand-crafting the sweetest gift cards as well as transforming old books into masterpieces, sculpting the pages into words and shapes – so expect to discover joyful surprises in every pocket of the shop.

No trip to Gisborne is complete without popping in to see what’s new at The Aviary. Plus, it’s nice to know that by supporting the three local businesses that live here, you’re also extending your support to a whole community of independent makers in the neighbourhood and across Aotearoa.