ICYMI: New and Neat Openings Across Aotearoa

Water Boy is a new coastal pub in St Heliers, bringing a taste of Sydney and Melbourne's laid-back surf club culture to Auckland’s eastern suburbs. Expect champagne and oysters for special moments, pitchers of Lion Red for game nights, and cocktails like the Water Boy Spritz and Popcorn Old Fashioned.

Photo credit: Hamish Melville

Mother is a bakery built on theatre, where visitors can devour beautiful baked goods while witnessing the quiet choreography of dough being shaped through tall glass windows that frame the kitchen. By day, it’s all about pastry, bread, sandwiches, coffee, and sunlight. Stay tuned as they plan to open in the evenings for wine, cocktails and small plates soon.

Photo credit: Jono Parker

The team behind Auckland’s beloved Ripe Deli has opened the doors to a bold new venture. Gather is an architecturally designed glasshouse café at Smales Farm, Takapuna. This fresh, light-filled eatery offers breakfast and lunch seven days a week, along with private event bookings – all in a space designed to bring people together.

Tucked inside the new 50 Albert Street back alley, you'll find Atomic's new espresso bar – where the coffee is elite, the design is edgier than your Nan’s new purple rinse, and the playlist won’t kill your vibe. It's a small space with a big personality – featuring batch brew taps and access to some of the rarest single origins in the country.

Look out for the pop of vivid green on Lombard Street, signalling Wellington's newest home of pizza: Slice. The main star is the thick, rectangle pizzas served by the slice, but there's also a sweet selection of cannoli and maritozzi, as well as fun drinks like pistachio cold brew and tiramisu matcha.

April Patisserie was founded by baker Jocelyn and her partner Eddy, after their first pop-up (featuring a gorgeous yoghurt and peach petit gâteau) sparked a demand for more delicious creations. They opened a small shopfront in mid September, where customers can find their iconic Japanese Salt Bread, impeccable petit gateaux, and perfect macarons – all in a range of exciting flavour combos.

Sixes and Sevens has moved from Taranaki Street to a bigger, brighter space on Market Lane. As well as serving up all the deli classics (yes, the donuts), they're bringing an all-new menu into the mix.

Great news for fans of Argentinian baked goods! Wellington's Aurora Bakery has recently opened their doors to a second location in Miramar, serving Flight Coffee, delicious pastries, and the same friendly, laid-back vibe as their beloved Manners Street shop.

Opening in winter, this Holmwood Road location is Bellbird Bakery’s third, following their flagship bakery at The Tannery and permanent stall at Riverside Market. Located in a block of neighbourhood shops, it's warm, inviting and a great place to stop by for your morning coffee and croissant, pick up a loaf, or grab a sammie with friends.

Located in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Ashe is where contemporary New Zealand art meets considered interior design. Showcasing a diverse range of artists and curated home objects, Ashe is a welcoming space for art lovers, collectors, and anyone who simply enjoys beautiful design.

Just in time for warmer spring days, Duck Island has opened their first Te Waipounamu store on the corner of Tuam and High Streets in central Christchurch. Inside the pink store, you'll find a cabinet of 24 rotating flavours, including their latest collab with Grizzly: toast and jam. There's ample space to sit and enjoy your scoop, and make sure to grab a pint or an ice cream sandwich from the freezer for later.

The team at Base Pizza have just opened their highly anticipated flagship venue on Montreal Street. Expect the same high quality woodfired pizzas that you know and love, served in a modern industrial space with lots of fun spaces to dine or enjoy an after-work drink.

Located on the first floor of The Terrace, Hugo brings the essence of French cuisine to Christchurch, in a modern Parisian environment. The interior is fun, high-energy and romantic, with beautiful river views, a comprehensive French wine list, delicious cocktails and exquisite food.

Picton's famous toasties have arrived in Ōtautahi! Swing by Toastie Lords on High Street (next to Duck Island!) to try one of their award-winning four cheese toasties.

If you've been wandering around central Christchurch recently, you'll no doubt have spotted the long line snaking out of The Cookie Trader. There's always new cookie flavours in the cabinet, with bestsellers including Biscoff, S'mores, and Strawberries & Cream.

Great Pastry Co, renowned for the delicious patisserie sold from their tiny shop under the stairs at Riverside Market, have opened Okioki on Victoria Street in Christchurch. This new addition allows customers to take a seat, sip a coffee and relax while enjoying favourites such as their Korean garlic bread or famous cookies.

This small, serene sushi spot opened in Christchurch's Sumner over the winter, offering a diverse range of fresh and beautifully presented sushi, seasonal salads and joyful bites. Pop in for an everyday wholesome lunch or consider them to cater your next party.

Designed to be Christchurch’s premier luxury function space for both business and private events, Botanic has opened next to its other family members: King of Snake, ROCA and Hugo. Equipped with top-tier audio-visual assets, an elegant fitout, and curated menus available from its sibling restaurants, it's perfect for any occasion.

Since launching in 2019, Bomba has become a star of the Lyttelton food scene, serving up soft and puffy pizzas just like they do in Napoli. They've recently opened a new space just 50 metres from the original courtyard, with a lively indoor space that invites more pizza lovers to dine in.

Roslyn Bread Technology & O.A.A (Other Associated Activities) is a bakery from the team behind Big Lizard in Dunedin, specialising in sourdough bread, pies, croissants and refined takes on classics like custard squares and lamingtons. Open Tuesday to Saturday, pouring Grey Roasting Co coffee to go with your baked goods.

Since expanding from a small bakery and retail space into a café in 2023, Breadhead has been bursting at the seams. Blessed with the community's support, their latest expansion has been long awaited, with the intention of bringing more fun and vibrance to the delicious Breadhead experinece.