Beach Boutiques & Village Vibes of Raumati and Paraparaumu Beach
Take a leisurely stroll around the neat boutiques of Raumati and Paraparaumu Beach.
Words by: Petra Nyman
Photos by: Anna Briggs
The petite villages of Paraparaumu and Raumati Beach encompass an atmosphere of eternal holidays and endless summer days. Nobody seems to be in a hurry; locals stop to chat at street corners and in coffee shops, and visitors stroll leisurely along, taking in the beach village vibes. While the unhurried nature and coast these villages are located on are the natural drawcards, the unique boutiques dotted along their village centres are just as worthy of a visit as the oceanfront itself.
Orinoco Designs
2A MacLean Street, Paraparaumu Beach
A locally owned and operated shop, Orinoco Designs, in the heart of Paraparaumu Beach, is on a mission to bring beauty into people’s lives with plants, homewares and fashion. A boho, eclectic mix of items invites customers to stop and take in all that is on offer. Think accessories, activewear, fashion labels, indoor plants, giftware and much more, and you will have an idea of what the store is about. But really, you’ll need to walk in to appreciate the entire collection of lovely items awaiting discovery.
The Power Plant
16 MacLean Street, Paraparaumu Beach
Stepping through the door of specialist indoor plant store, The Power Plant, is like entering a greenhouse where everything is for sale. The tiny store is filled with greenery of various kinds; it’s humid and earthy, yet in a delightful way. The expert staff know a thing or two about the needs of various plants and offer a re-potting service as well as plant hires for events and home staging.
The Wilderness
43 Seaview Road, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu
A wild assortment of fresh flowers and indoor greenery is available at The Wilderness. This is your one-stop-shop for everything floral-related, be it a bunch to brighten up somebody’s day, a dried floral arrangement for the office or an event in need of plenty of blooms. The team creates their bunches with a mixture of foraged and farmed flowers, and can help you out with indoor plant care as well.
BE U
1/18 Seaview Road, Paraparaumu Beach
Tucked around the corner from the main street of Paraparaumu Beach, BE U is a clothing boutique filled with local and international fashion items waiting to become your next wardrobe staples. At BE U, it’s all about affordable luxury and encouraging customers to find their unique style. The friendly team takes pride in offering a relaxed environment for browsing and shopping in the store; it is a welcoming space where customers are offered good advice and helping hands when needed.
Wylder Store
43 Seaview Road, Paraparaumu Beach
A carefully curated lifestyle store, Wylder embodies all that brings joy to daily moments. Values of community and conscious living go hand in hand with the brands stocked. Wylder is about adding quality and beauty to your life while supporting sustainable and ethical makers. There is everything from fashion for the entire family to homewares and gifts to be browsed and purchased at Wylder Store, so step on in.
Refuel at Commoners & Salty’s Diner
44 Seaview Road, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu
While you’ve thus far popped in to just about every shop in the little village of Paraparaumu Beach, it’s time to refuel before heading down the road to Raumati Beach, where more boutiques await discovery. Grab a caffeine hit from The Common Room. or something stronger from Salty’s, then brace yourself (and your wallet) for many more finds to come.
Milk + Ginger
16 Margaret Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu
A big city boutique in a small seaside town, Milk + Ginger, in the heart of Raumati Beach, is a hub of quality fashion. The locally owned shop celebrates interesting labels from Aotearoa and Australia. Expect to come across labels many of us know and love, such as Assembly Label, Abrand, Thing Thing and Commoners, as well as some new encounters. The store is beautifully organised and presented, and the offerings extend to selected lifestyle brands, jewellery and quality children’s products as well.
The Vogue Store
3 Margaret Road, Raumati South, Paraparaumu
The Vogue Store is your destination for high end local and selected international labels. Think designers such as Trelise Cooper, Elk, Loobie’s Story and Nancybird, with plenty more. Here, you will receive a personalised shopping experience and plenty of help from the knowledgeable team in finding your next favourite clothing item. The Vogue Store is on a mission to provide its customers with beautiful, sustainably made garments that reflect life on the Kāpiti Coast.
Paperdoll
8 Margaret Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu
Yet another quality fashion store in Raumati, Paperdoll offers a friendly and fun shopping experience and a chance to add plenty of colour to your life. A mix of exciting labels such as Noa Noa, Rolla’s and Tuesday Label await within the store, along with a selection of jewellery and other accessories. A treasure trove of must-have finds and gorgeous garments, Paperdoll is well worth popping into while in town.
Holy Smoke
10A Margaret Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu
A destination for the discerning male, Holy Smoke is filled to the brim with timeless fashion items. Whether you’re after something for a special occasion or everyday wear, this store has got you covered. Quality labels such as Scotch & Soda, Eribé shetland wool knitwear and Thomson & Richards, plus plenty more, can be found here. Holy Smoke is in the business of helping men create a style for themselves rather than follow fast fashion trends.
Social Club & Cantina
31 Poplar Avenue, Raumati South, Paraparaumu
Now that you’ve exhausted yourself with a full day of shopping, head down to Raumati South for some soulful nourishment. Take a seat at the sunny roadside tables at the Raumati Social Club or in the private garden complete with macrame swings at Sunday Cantina, or settle at a cosy nook indoors in either establishment with a drink and pre-dinner nibbles. You might even get lucky and catch a local band playing some tunes for your end of day enjoyment at either of the Poplar Avenue spots.
Neat Kāpiti Coast Places
Salty's Diner
Salty’s is an experience not to be missed while visiting the Kāpiti Coast.
Milk + Ginger
A hub of quality, affordable fashion and lifestyle in the heart of Raumati Beach, Milk + Ginger is a store well worth visiting when in town.
The Raumati Social Club
Raumati Social Club is a bit of an institution at Kāpiti Coast.
Dark Horse
Dark Horse Coffee Co. has been providing the people of Kāpiti Coast and beyond with delicious artisan coffee since 2016.
The Salt and Wood Collective
A self-acclaimed carnivore haven, The Salt and Wood Collective in Waikanae is all about big, bold, meaty meals.