Bay of Islands Weekly Markets

Throughout the year, the Bay of Islands hosts a vibrant collection of markets that showcase the region’s growers, artisans, food producers, and creative community. From authentic farmers markets connecting customers directly with local producers to craft markets featuring handmade goods and eclectic finds, these weekly gatherings have become essential parts of the Bay’s social and commercial landscape. Whether you’re after fresh seasonal produce, unique handcrafted items, street food, or simply the atmosphere of a bustling community market, the Bay of Islands offers options throughout the week across both Kerikeri and Paihia.

Bay of Islands Farmers Market – Kerikeri

Day: Sundays
Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Hobson Avenue Post Office Carpark, Kerikeri

Every Sunday morning, the Post Office carpark on Hobson Avenue in Kerikeri transforms into the region’s premier farmers market. Operating rain or shine, this authentic market has been connecting local growers and producers with the community since 2004. As a proud member of Farmers Markets New Zealand Association, every stallholder is verified as an authentic grower or producer, meaning everything sold is grown or made locally by the vendor themselves within the Northland region.

The market specializes in fresh seasonal produce reflecting Northland’s subtropical-temperate climate, alongside artisan foods including handcrafted cheeses, free-range eggs, local honey, preserves, freshly baked bread, and specialty beverages. Ready-to-eat food stalls offer breakfast options, with locally roasted coffee and fresh baking making the market a social destination as much as a shopping trip. Live music creates atmosphere throughout the morning, and the relaxed pace encourages conversations between customers and the people who grew or made what they’re selling.

The Sunday morning timing has made this market a weekend ritual for many locals, who arrive early to secure the best selection before popular items sell out. The market welcomes dogs on leashes, offers on-site parking, and maintains mobility accessibility. The authentic designation ensures customers can trust the provenance of everything they purchase, supporting sustainable local agriculture while enjoying produce at peak freshness.

The Old Packhouse Market – Kerikeri

Location: The Old Packhouse, Kerikeri

The Old Packhouse Market operates three distinct markets across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, each with its own character and vendor mix. Located at the historic packhouse building, the venue’s heritage atmosphere and central Kerikeri location have made it one of Northland’s most popular market destinations.

Friday Street Food Market
Time: 5:00pm – 7:30pm (Licensed bar until 8:00pm)

This twilight market focuses on ready-to-eat food from diverse vendors, creating a casual dining experience where people gather after work or to start their weekend. The combination of international cuisines, local specialties, and the licensed bar makes Friday evenings at the Old Packhouse a social occasion, with live music and a relaxed atmosphere as people enjoy food in the outdoor spaces.

Saturday Growers and Artisans Market
Time: 8:00am – 1:30pm

This is the largest of the three, with approximately 100 vendors. This market combines fresh produce, artisan foods, handcrafted goods, plants, preserves, and specialty items in a bustling morning marketplace. Live music performs throughout the morning, and the scale of the market means visitors need time to explore the full range of vendors. The Saturday market attracts both serious shoppers stocking up for the week and browsers discovering unique items they didn’t know they needed.

Sunday Eclectic Market
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

This market offers a different vibe with its inclusion of preloved items and car boot sellers alongside regular artisan vendors. This market appeals to treasure hunters and those seeking bargains, with the mix of new handcrafted items and second-hand finds creating an eclectic shopping experience. The more relaxed Sunday morning atmosphere and diverse vendor mix make this market particularly popular with families and those enjoying leisurely weekend browsing.

Paihia Village Green Markets – Craft Market

Days: Selected days during cruise ship season
Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: Village Green, Paihia

Throughout the cruise ship season, the Village Green in central Paihia hosts craft markets timed to coincide with ship arrivals.

These markets bring together local artisans and craftspeople selling handmade goods, jewelry, artwork, and specialty items.

The timing captures both cruise ship passengers exploring Paihia during their port visit and locals taking advantage of the expanded shopping options. The Village Green’s waterfront-adjacent location makes it easily accessible for those disembarking from ships or ferries, while the outdoor setting showcases Paihia’s scenic appeal. The craft focus means these markets emphasize unique, handmade items that serve as meaningful souvenirs or gifts, with artisans present to discuss their work and creative processes.

The seasonal operation reflects cruise ship scheduling, with markets running more frequently during peak summer months when ship visits increase. The flexibility of the schedule means checking ahead is worthwhile for those specifically wanting to visit these craft markets.

Bay of Islands Artisan Market – Paihia

Days: Saturdays and Sundays
Time: 8:30am – 1:30pm
Location: Paihia War Memorial Hall

Every weekend throughout the year, the Paihia War Memorial Hall hosts a gallery and craft market showcasing local and regional artisans.

The hall setting creates a different atmosphere from outdoor markets, with the enclosed space allowing for more detailed displays and the opportunity to examine craftsmanship up close. Artisans are typically present at their stalls, ready to discuss their techniques, materials, and inspiration. This direct connection between makers and buyers adds depth to purchases, with customers learning the stories behind the items they’re considering.

The year-round operation makes this market a reliable destination regardless of season or weather, appealing to both visitors seeking unique Bay of Islands-made items and locals looking for gifts or additions to their own collections. The weekend schedule accommodates different routines, with Saturday attracting those who prefer morning market visits before other weekend activities, while Sunday draws people seeking relaxed browsing as part of their weekend leisure time.

Bay of Islands Farmers Market – Paihia

From October through April, a farmers market returns to Paihia’s Village Green every Thursday from 10:00am to 1:30pm. This seasonal market operates under the same authentic principles as the Sunday Kerikeri farmers market, with all vendors directly growing or producing what they sell within the Northland region.

The Thursday timing and Paihia location make this market particularly accessible for visitors staying in the area, offering the chance to purchase fresh local produce, artisan foods, and specialty items during a weekday morning. The seasonal operation from October to April aligns with both peak growing season and peak tourism season, ensuring good produce variety and strong visitor numbers.

The Village Green setting allows for an open, relaxed market atmosphere with the convenience of central Paihia’s cafes, shops, and waterfront nearby. Live music often accompanies the market, and the later morning start compared to the Sunday Kerikeri market suits different schedules and holiday routines. Like its Kerikeri counterpart, this market welcomes dogs on leashes and operates rain or shine, though the summer-autumn timing means pleasant weather is more common.

Market Culture and Community Connection

The Bay of Islands markets represent more than commercial transactions—they’re social spaces where community connections strengthen and the region’s creative and agricultural character is displayed. Regular market-goers develop relationships with favorite vendors, tracking seasonal changes through produce availability, discovering new makers as they join established markets, and incorporating market visits into weekly or weekend routines.

For visitors, the markets offer authentic glimpses into Bay of Islands life beyond tourist activities. Conversations with growers about how they farm, with artisans about their creative processes, and with food producers about their ingredients reveal the people and practices behind the region’s reputation for quality food and creative output. These exchanges create memories and connections that generic shopping experiences cannot replicate.

The variety of markets across different days and locations means almost any day of the week offers market opportunities. This abundance reflects the Bay of Islands’ strong local production culture and the community’s commitment to supporting direct sales channels that benefit producers while giving customers access to quality local goods.

Planning Your Market Visits

The diversity of Bay of Islands markets means planning can enhance your experience. If fresh produce and authentic local foods are priorities, the farmers markets in Kerikeri (Sunday) and Paihia (Thursday, October-April) provide those specific focuses. For broader artisan and craft items, The Old Packhouse Saturday market and the Paihia Artisan Market offer extensive selections.

Timing matters—arriving early at popular markets ensures best selection before items sell out, particularly for sought-after produce or limited-batch artisan goods. However, markets maintain quality throughout their operating hours, and later arrivals often find vendors more relaxed and willing to chat as the rush subsides.

Bringing cash remains wise despite increasing electronic payment acceptance, as some smaller vendors prefer cash transactions. Reusable bags for carrying purchases help, particularly at farmers markets where bulk produce buying is common. For those purchasing temperature-sensitive items like dairy or meat products, bringing a cooler or insulated bag ensures food safety, especially during warm months.

The markets operate in various weather conditions, with most proceeding rain or shine. Checking individual market social media pages or websites provides updates on any unusual closures or schedule changes, though the commitment to operating regardless of weather means markets are remarkably reliable.

For current vendor lists, schedule confirmations, and updates on what’s happening at each market, follow individual market social media pages or visit their websites. The Bay of Islands market scene is dynamic, with new vendors joining, seasonal variations affecting what’s available, and occasional special events adding to regular market operations.