The Makers of Palmerston North

The oldest jeweller in town, with generations of history behind it.

Originally started by Ross’ father in 1955, they specialise in unique one-off pieces and natural gemstones. Some designs feel contemporary, while others are timeless, but all of them carry a sense of beautiful specificity. They make jewellery for individual people, not window displays.

They take pride in ensuring customers can speak directly with the jeweller crafting their piece. That feels especially reassuring when you’re making something meaningful, whether it’s a custom wedding ring or a fragile family heirloom that needs repairing. Alongside custom designs, they also offer restoration, pearl re-threading and more, all handled with care at their on-site workshop.

The iconic independent clothing label with a name locals recognise immediately. Over the last decade, these guys have built a loyal following with their iconic t-shirts and original designs, which you’ll frequently spot worn by locals all over the city.

Some of the designs are proudly Palmy-centric, made especially for those who know all the landmarks and in-jokes. Others speak more broadly to Aotearoa, and make equally great gifts for whānau overseas as they do for someone who likes making people smile when they spot a funky shirt walking down the street.

Open since 1985, this lovely little flower shop is part of the fabric of Palmy: operating from the same quaint little brick building on the corner of Featherston and Albert Street for over 40 years.

Brimming with fresh cut flowers and foliage, their extensive range changes with the seasons but is always full of beautiful blooms straight from their own flowerbeds at the nearby Delta Gardens – where they grow more than 40 varieties of flowers and foliage across 32 acres.

Every day they hand-make bouquets and floral arrangements for everything from weddings and funerals to corporate events, as well as selling chocolates, soft toys and floral supplies.

An idea so simple, it’s actually kind of genius: half-baked bread, ready to finish at home in around 10 minutes.

Made right here in Manawatū, their loaves are deliberately only half-baked before being sold, leaving the final stretch to you and your oven. The result is hot, fresh loaves at the exact moment you want them, whether that’s for pasta night, a barbecue, or, in many cases – served up by other local cafés and restaurants across the motu.

Their mouthwatering range includes filled breads, focaccia and condiments like pink pickle, balsamic onion jam, bourbon barbecue sauce and tomato chilli jam. You can find them online or through stockists around the country. A word of warning, though: once the smell of fresh bread starts filling your kitchen, it’s hard to resist buying them again and again.

A pottery studio, gift shop and workshop space all rolled into one.

Find a beautiful range of one-of-a-kind ceramics made on site, alongside New Zealand brands and a selection of special international finds.

This lovely team also runs pottery workshops in their studio out the back, where groups can learn how to create, shape and paint their own clay pieces, or book a group session for birthdays, team outings and Christmas functions. They welcome creatives of all skill levels here – anyone can come in, get their hands dirty, purchase a thoughtful gift or try something new with friends.

Established in 2010 by founder and director Bronwyn Zimmerman, this Main Street gallery has contemporary artworks by established and emerging New Zealand artists on display throughout the year.

The exhibition gallery, which can be viewed through the front windows, is devoted to their fresh monthly exhibition. Directly behind that is a larger space, which holds another changing selection of works by the array of artists Zimmerman represents.

Paintings, sculpture and contemporary pieces are open for the public to peruse, and staff welcome visitors to come in for advice on collecting, purchasing, lighting and installing their artworks. Directly opposite Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History, it’s perfectly placed for an afternoon of gallery hopping.

The graphic design studio of local legend Jemma Cheer, based right here on Main Street – but her work extends far beyond Palmy. Designing everything from logos, books and websites, to illustration, packaging and permanent exhibition graphics, she’s made her mark on a wide range of local and national projects.

Though she has many tools in her kete, branding is her specialty. Her process is all about learning the shape of a business or service – then distilling that into a clear, recognisable identity.

Plus, right next door, her partner Adam Curry runs Central Bicycle Studio – another Main Street icon in its own right. Their workshop handles everything from quick tune-ups to full rebuilds, keeping local riders of all skill levels rolling.

This jeweller is another Palmy household name. Peter Cameron began the business back in 1984, and over the years they’ve expanded across some of the most iconic spots in the CBD – including the infamous ‘turquoise shop’ in Coleman Mall, and two stores on each side of the entrance to the Regent Theatre.

Their current home is The Citadel on King Street, a restored former Salvation Army that operates as both the jeweller’s gallery and an open-plan workshop. Their craft isn’t hidden out the back. Rather, it’s very much part of the experience.

Now led by manufacturing jewellers Sam Drummond and Jessie Cameron, their focus remains on one-of-a-kind pieces, repairs and remodelling.

There’s not just one maker here: more like a whole village of them. Set inside the landmark building at 47 The Square, this has been Palmy’s artistic hub for decades. Housing galleries, artist workshops and all sorts of small businesses and spaces, this is the place where creative locals go to shop and make.

Two places inside are especially worth noting. LIGHTBOX is a family-owned gallery, gift shop and art supplies store, showcasing local work as well as supplying artists with all the tools they need: paints, paper, canvas, brushes, pens, pastels, inks, sketchbooks and more.

Next door, the Art of Framing (run by Keith Stewart) is a certified picture framer with a long-standing local practice. From custom framing and digital printing to art conservation, he focuses on treating each artwork or heirloom with a huge amount of care.