Beach Boutiques & Village Vibes of Raumati and Paraparaumu Beach

The green and pink exterior of The Wilderness store in Paraparaumu.

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

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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

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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

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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 window of The Frock Shop.

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.

The entrance to Paperdoll store.

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.

The entrance to the Holy Smoke store.

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

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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

Toi MAHARA

Weaved bags and mats on display inside a gallery.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Toi MAHARA is the district public gallery for the Kāpiti Coast. It stands in pride of place in the heart of Waikanae in a purpose-built building designed by Athfield Architects.

Toi Matarau

A large gallery full of colourful works of art.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Toi Matarau is a gallery within the Māoriland Hub in the heart of Ōtaki village.

Beach Road Deli

The brightly lit interior of Beach Road Deli on a sunny day.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paekākāriki Editor's Pick
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On the main street of the cute seaside township of Paekākāriki, you’ll find Beach Road Deli – a bright and beachy café offering great coffee and quality...

Long Beach Tavern

Graffiti art on an exterior wall.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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The ultimate community restaurant, Long Beach, is a Waikanae institution.