Glengarry Ponsonby, Auckland

What to buy here: 42 Below Vodka & New Zealand Wine.

42 Below Vodka is one of New Zealand’s most famous alcoholic exports. The success of this vodka is also testament to good old fashioned kiwi perseverance and ingenuity. The story of this vodka’s path to success has also been immortalised in a book about its humble beginnings. It’s called Every Bastard Says No by Geoff Ross. The book retails for approximately NZD45 and is available at most book stores. If you’d rather drink the vodka instead of read about it, 42 Below Vodka is available in a range of distinctly kiwi flavours e.g. manuka honey, kiwifruit, feijoa and passionfruit. It is available at most liquor outlets in New Zealand and priced at around NZD40 for a 700ml bottle.

New Zealand has some internationally renowned, award-winning wines. Sauvignon wine from the Marlborough region of New Zealand is especially notable. New Zealanders love their wine so if you’ve enjoyed New Zealand’s wine, then a bottle of wine to take home with you is a classic gift. There are many vineyards in the Auckland area so if you haven’t already found the perfect wine, then thankfully Auckland has been generously bestowed with more than its fair share of wine stores. Award-winning wines are affordably priced from between NZD20 up to over NZD250.

Visit the Glengarry outlet on Ponsonby Road. Or if you prefer to sample the product before you buy it, you can wine or dine first at any of the many bars and restaurants on Ponsonby Road. Glengarry Ponsonby is open seven days Monday to Wednesday 9am to 9pm, Thursday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, and Sunday 12pm to 8pm.