A Buyers Guide to the Sunday Markets

City Market and Harbourside Market have become the place to be in the weekend. From fresh vegetables to Turkish delight, to the very best in olive-oil and chocolate, this culinary extravaganza at Waitangi Park car park and Chaffers Dock Atrium is a must-do for any Sunday morning. Here are seven tips to getting the best out of your market experience:

1) Taste everything – And I mean everything. Taste testers are put out there because every stallholder is supremely confident that as soon as you try something, you will want to buy it. It’s almost your duty to taste things so as not to disappoint the seller. It’s a win-win situation.

2) Bring the kids (but only if you want) – The little shouty ones driving you up the wall? Take them to the markets. They can run (Reasonably) wild and nobody will even notice. Because everybody else is in their own little market-going world. Oh, and there’s a pet shop at the Chaffers dock building. Distraction gold for the little ones.

Conversely, leave them with friends or family if you want to spend some quality time with your partner. Or by yourself if that’s the case… just because you deserve it.

And if you don’t have any kids? Well, you can do what the hell you want then can’t you.

3) Bring lots of loose change – Most of the stuff at the markets doesn’t cost a lot, so those little gold or silver coins will be your best friend. Also, if you have taken your kids, it’s easier to give them a couple of bucks to buy things with, rather than have them pester you into buying stuff the whole time.

4) Talk to people – It’s a great chance to be sociable in a non-boozy situation and not feel like a bit of a tool. Ask people their opinion on things and start gaining from that vast pool of local knowledge that your fellow Wellingtonians have.

5) Spend what you want – It’s all going to the stallholders, so no big, evil corporate empire will be gaining from your consumer-power.

6) Practice your haggling – It might not work, in fact it probably won’t, but go ahead and try anyway. At the very least it’s always entertaining for onlookers when someone gives it a go.

7) Go, even if you’re hung-over – Yes, you feel and look like crap. No excuses. There’s a juice stand, lots of great coffee, and of course, a ton of great food. Add in some fresh air and you’ve got the perfect hang-over busting activity.

The City Market is open from 8:30am to 12:30pm, while Harbourside runs from 7:30am to 2pm (Summer hours).

-Darren