Upcycle Waiheke

Upcycle Waiheke is gorgeous. Bursting with community spirit, creativity, and ingenuity, it’s a must-​see if you’re on the island.
Not only is it packed with inspired, locally-​made goodies, the prices are incredible. I would have gone completely overboard on my last visit, if not for the thought of hauling it all back home on the ferry!
Artsy presents and decorative items for the home abound, but my absolute favourites were the recycled-​fabric hobby horses and the beautifully made three-​tier cake stands, made with none other than vintage plates, of course!
The quality of the upcycled goods is ever so slightly uneven, but on the whole most things are very professionally finished.

This place is cool! On many levels. It is a shop made up of a collective of textile artists, working to create clothing, jewellery, gift ideas, woodwork, wall art and much more. The small group all live on Waiheke Island and exhibit their wares for sale in the shop, and I am told, they all help out in different ways running the business. Many take turns shopkeeping, some work behind the scenes on a more business level, basically everyone supports in some way or another. It is a great example of a community working together. It is cool because of what and how they produce this art. As the name suggests, the art is all created from recycled materials and the quality is high. My friend, a visitor from overseas, bought a wonderful wall hanging of a Tiki, carefully stitched and created with care. This is a great place to buy a unique gift if you are looking for something outside the square. Don’t go to Waiheke without checking this place out.

Made with love, they are quirky, stylish even if only to the eye of the beholder and more than anything interesting items on display at Upcycle Waiheke. This boutique fashion and handcraft store is making its mark by creating objects of beauty and desire from recycled stuff. One man’s junk… is another’s treasure so the saying goes. There is a nice range of kids stuff from clothing to fabric horses, artistic cushions made from pre-​loved blankets, brightly colour coordinated frocks and skirts, croche tea cosies, canvases and the list goes on. Best idea is to pop in for a looksie and check if there is anything that takes your fancy.