Souvenirs From New Zealand - Sheep soft toys, Shell Jewellery, Must Have Ski Hats and Maybe Wine

What gifts can you take from New Zealand to other countries for your children and grandchildren, or other people's? What is unique to New Zealand, yet found in the largest souvenir shops?

Soft Toy Sheep

Soft toy sheep from New Zealand. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

 The numbers of sheep in New Zealand are declining, but the numbers of soft toy sheep seem to be increasing. You find them everywhere. If you still have room in your luggage, you can find them at Auckland airport. The New Zealand sheep have a charming, happy, contented U-shape smile. (Much nicer than the glum bears and scowling dolls sold all over the world.)

Jewellery

In the Around New Zealand shop the Paua shell jewellery is delightful. That iridescent green. Lovely shapes.

It looks like it is set in silver. It isn't real silver? No.

Why not? Silver is cheap. At those prices I would expect silver. Not some unknown metal which might tarnish, or cause a skin reaction. I was worried that my relatives would say that they or their children can only put silver in their pierced ears.

Paua jewellery, ear-rings. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Despite my misgivings, I bought, mainly pendants rather than ear-rings.

I found a guide to silver ear rings and allergies online from wholesaler Blake Brothers Inc. It seems that with sterling silver, what to beware of is whether nickel or copper is mixed in with the sterling silver. 

At about 30 New Zealand dollars per purchase buying three or four comes to 100 dollars. For a hundred US dollars minimum purchase you can buy sterling silver stud ear-rings from a wholesaler, Blake. But it seems you must pay more for free shipping.

Wines

Wines in the duty free shop at Auckland were at various prices. Although you cannot take food and drink into New Zealand, the amount of wine you can bring back to the UK is large. If you only buy from supermrkets in other countries you might see a bigger variety in New Zealand.

Comparing prices with international online sellers who supplied to the UK, we did not see any irresistable bargains. We had already bought from the wineries' cellar doors some wines which are hard to find and not exported because they are from small producers.

Summer Caps & Winter Hats 

Another last minute gift from the airport was New Zealand ski hats. Beanie hats in rainbow colours. There are also many baseball caps with the word New Zealand.

Never mind the prices. Use up your coins. You can't exchange coins at the airport. Also we found the exchange rate for money from New Zealand dollars in notes to English pounds sterling was not good.

You can find guides to the goods available online to help you make decisions in advance, and you can order in advance, although when you get to the airport you can check the size and weight of all your desired purchases.

I looked at silver plate and 925 sterling silver paua and blue and green jewellery on Temu so if you don't buy and want to look online later.

You can also get Paua shell pendants on ebay and etsy, but note the size, and whether you get a pendant aone, a cord necklace, a thin chain or a thick chain, a rough chain, or a flat, smooth, comfortable chain.

Finally Manuka honey.

Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Useful Websites

https://www.aeliadutyfree.co.nz/auckland/

https://blakebros.com/blog/is-sterling-silver-good-for-sensitive-ears/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20sterling%20silver%20is,to%20cause%20an%20allergic%20reaction.

https://www.temu.com/uk/elegant-925-sterling-silver-bracelet-with-synthetic-zirconia-for-women-boho--daily-gift-occasion--jewelry--valentines-en

https://www.temu.com/uk/boho-chic-blue--pendant-necklace-with-4mm-beads-handcrafted-vintage--for--birthday-or-holiday-gift-g-601099719201802.

Please share links to posts which you find entertaining or useful.