Abstract Aucklanders: Evie Kemp’s guide to K’ Road thrifting

So much. We’ve got such diversity that you can go from a vibrant city street, to a beach, to a beautiful bushwalk, to a town centre that feels like it’s from another world entirely — all in a single day.

I immigrated to New Zealand from England with my family when I was 14 and we spent our first few weeks in the central city, so K’ Road has been part of my life here right from the beginning. Some parts have changed enormously and some haven’t changed a bit, but it’s always been the most vibrant, exciting part of town.

In my early 20s I lived just off K’ Road on Mercury Lane (in a house that is now the site of the new train station), so it was properly my neighbourhood — I still love coming back for a good wander. There are great eats, cool shops, independent designers and always something new.

The best thing about thrifting on K’ Road is the community around it; it’s so diverse, creative and artistic that the stock reflects all of that. You’ll always find something really unusual, really cool or just plain weird. You get a genuine mix of affordable, vintage, second-hand designer and pieces you just wouldn’t find anywhere else — that’s what makes it such a fun place to shop.

I’ve always shopped second-hand. Growing up, it was a necessity but still fun — my mum bought almost everything second-hand, so it’s always been my main way of shopping. I love it for so many reasons. There’s the thrill of the hunt, finding something brilliant, and knowing you’re giving an object another life. When you’re spending money, it feels good not to just be adding more stuff to the world — and if you’re shopping at an op shop, even better, because you’re giving to a charity while you find something cool. I also love owning things that are different from everyone else’s, and thrifting is the ultimate way to do that.

I don’t go quite as often as I used to — life gets busy — but I still love a proper op shop day, a real trawl around the shops. A few times a year, my mum, my sister and I make a whole day of it on K’ Road, with lunch in the middle, working our way around every shop. It’s so much fun!

Oh, this is a hard one, as most of the things I treasure came from a second-hand shop. But if I had to pick one: it’s a portrait of a dog. She doesn’t have a name, but she was obviously a deeply loved dog, because someone went and commissioned a painted portrait of her. Part of me felt a bit sad that it had ended up in a thrift shop at all, then I thought, “How lovely that I’m the one who stumbled upon her.” I feel the love that was poured into that object, even without knowing who she was, who painted it or who it was made for. That’s the best thing about thrifting all in one object, really.

My hero on this strip. It’s the rare shop that does vintage and handmade and local artists all under one roof, so it’s brilliant for genuinely cool finds and for gifts. My treasure from there is actually a vase by Tāne Ceramics — it’s handmade rather than thrifted, but that’s exactly the point of Crushes: second-hand and locally made, side by side. I love it. They have such a good selection of knitwear too, both vintage and local handmade pieces.

Crushes, 235 Karangahape Road

A proper hunting ground, and always worth the dig. You’ll find designer pieces for next to nothing, plus there’s a clearance room at the back. On one of my last visits I found a beautiful Alpha60 ruched skirt for around $20 that’ll be in my wardrobe forever.

Paper Bag Princess, 202 Karangahape Road

I’ve been going to Vixen for 20-something years. It’s the place to go for something extra cool: a bit of Americana, a few sequins, properly curated vintage. From there I have an incredible vintage mohair cardigan covered in playing-card motifs — very retro-casino — and I just adore it. Couldn’t even tell you when I got it, it was that long ago!

Vixen Vintage Boutique, 191 Karangahape Road

Full of cool stuff, especially clothing, and you can find some really good things in here. Prices can be on the higher end, but it’s full of gems. And the City Mission is such an important charity to support, so I’m always genuinely happy to walk in hoping to fill my arms.

Auckland City Mission Op Shop, 203 Karangahape Road

The genuine, classic op shop in the mix. It’s cramped and a bit dark, but the prices are great and it’s well worth a good look through the racks. This is the one for when you want a proper rummage and deep pockets aren’t required.

Red Cross Shop, 191 Karangahape Road

If vintage cameras and retro homewares are your jam, Junktion is heaven. With boxes and boxes of old cameras and camera equipment it is very niche, but it also has some great retro decor next door and fun things like old matchbooks — always worth a rummage.

Junktion, St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road

Central Flea — If you’re here for thrifting, time your trip for a weekend when Central Flea is on — it’s a market at 170 Balmoral Road, Mount Eden, and an easy hop from Abstract. On a crisp, sunny morning there’s nothing better than spending a couple of hours digging through all the treasures with a coffee in hand.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki — It’s just down the hill from K’ Road and has a fabulous permanent collection as well as visiting exhibitions. It’s one of the most inspiring places in the city for me.

Eat — Obviously eating is a necessity, but we’re spoilt for choice here and K’ Road itself is bursting with great places. An old favourite is the toastie at Bestie — honestly, almost everything on their menu is incredible. Also in St Kevins Arcade is Pici for the most amazing pasta, and Gemmayze Street for incredible Lebanese dining (I recommend going with a group so you can share all the things!). And I keep hearing wonderful things about Bar Magda; it’s top of my own list for next time.

I love a staycation, especially after a big day of shopping and I can just put my feet up somewhere beautiful. I love the quirky decor at Abstract — all the art and the dark, moody rooms — it feels like such a fitting expression of what a hotel in this part of town should be, and a really fun alternative to staying downtown.

You get a completely different view of Auckland up here; it’s vibrant and alive and the hotel reflects that. It’s full of personality and spaces that encourage you to be yourself, which I’m all about. I reckon staying somewhere like this probably makes you a bit braver when you head out thrifting, too — you’ll try on a few things you might never have reached for otherwise. It’s like trying on a different life for a day, and that’s exactly what a great hotel stay should be.