Visitors to the seaside village of Ahuriri, near Napier, are flocking to creative hub, Aroha and Friends.
The Ossian St store operates as both a fashion centre and an art department, producing co-owner Rakai Karaitiana’s finely crafted prints and homeware, as well as stocking pieces by other local creatives. There’s even an onsite cafe to quench shoppers’ thirst. Established labels – including Zambesi, Karen Walker, NomD and Kowtow – are joined on the racks by new names including Steve Hall, the 2015 recipient of the iD International Emerging Designer Award, making Aroha and Friends a must-visit for those in the Hawkes Bay.