Your Guide to Shopping Sustainably in Nelson Tasman

The Nelson Market is a must visit when in town. Pick up the freshest vegetables and fruit from local growers, browse a number of crafts, art, and handmade products from wooden bodyboards to ceramics, sample homemade chutneys, honey, baking – you name it. Saturday Market day is where you’ll get to really appreciate the huge range of sustainable goodness this region has to offer.

This Hardy Street gallery celebrates ceramics in all its forms. Kiln Gallery focuses on representing potters and ceramic artists from the Nelson Tasman region, plus showcasing a selection of painting, printmaking and photography. The perfect destination for appreciating all things clay, plus picking up your new favourite coffee mug – or perhaps a piece of art to take home.

A one stop shop for all things local and sustainable, Old Factory Corner houses a range of different retailers and hospitality. At the heart is Connings Food Market, a modern boutique grocery with a wide selection of staples and the best products from the Nelson Tasman region. Following that, pop next door to The Junction for local cheeses, meats, pantry items, beverages and more, plus enjoy a taste of the region while backing the producers.

Another Old Factory Corner spot is GoodFor, the ultimate package-free pantry-filler experience. You won’t be carrying out anything in disposable plastic from this wholefoods refillery; scoop your pantry staples into supplied paper bags or bring your own vessel and fill it with your choice of sustainable goodness.

Heaving with racks full of quality pre-loved clothing, treading lightly on this earth while engaging in retail therapy has never been easier than at Godzilla Recycle Boutique. Whether you’re after an update on your everyday wardrobe, in search of hard-to-come-by vintage pieces or that perfect outfit for a fancy dress party, it’s all waiting for you within this boutique.

A collection of antiques and collectables gathered predominantly from the Nelson Tasman region, Eclectic Antiques is a treasure trove like no other. True to its name, the eclectic assortment of everything from vintage leather bags to antique furniture and beyond is well worth a marvel. And if you’re in need of something out of the ordinary for your home, you’ve come to the right place.

A very special place indeed, Garden House Kina is a boutique farm shop and market garden on the beautiful Kina Peninsula. The store showcases the best of the region in the form of artisan products, local coffee, baking and produce grown right here.

Respecting the environment has been at the heart of everything at Global Soap for over two decades. Makers of true handcrafted personal care products that are kind to your skin and the earth; Global Soap is the environmentally conscious consumers’ go-to.

Little Beehive is your one-stop-shop for everything gifty. Find a vast selection of quality handmade products from clothing to ceramics and printmaking to jewellery, plus everything in between at this petite co-op store run by a collective of creatives. By purchasing something unique at Little Beehive, you’re choosing to directly support local makers – now that’s pretty cool!

Formed by a collective of local artists in a historic fruit shed over the estuary near Motueka, Zappekin is a shared creative workspace, gallery and event venue. This seasonal space is only open over the summer months, but do keep an eye out on their socials as indoor winter markets are in the works!

Photo by: Nelson Tasman NZ

Home to a community of like-minded creatives and producers in the small village of Upper Moutere is Moutere Artisans. This collective of artisan producers offers a long list of essentials and more, from sheep and cows milk, traditional cider, artisan’s sausages, handmade crafts and art. Plus it’s home to The Moutere Inn, the oldest pub in New Zealand, and with 13 craft beers on tap, it’s worth the trip alone. Exploring Upper Moutere is an ideal short road trip from Nelson, and to make things even easier, consult their website before picking your route.

Photo by: Oliver Webber