In peak season, shopping takes on the nature and dimensions of a sport in Hokitika, as the human contents of buses spill out into the vicinity of Tancred Street. All of the following stores are open daily (usually 10am-5pm). At the Gold Room, 37 Tancred St. (tel. 03/755-8362; www.thegoldroom.co.nz), you'll see gold in every form -- from raw nuggets and flakes to top-quality crafted jewelry. Hokitika Craft Gallery, 25 Tancred St. (tel. 03/755-8802; www.hokitikacraftgallery.co.nz), features the work of 19 of the West Coast's top artisans under one roof. Look out for contemporary works in fiber, wood, pottery, jade, leather, wool, glass, and bone. My pick is the furniture by top craftsman Marc Zuckerman. Hokitika Glass Studio, 28 Tancred St. (tel. 03/755-7775; www.hokitikaglass.co.nz), is home to more glass penguins than the average person could cope with; but beyond that, there are some stunning glassworks here. Bowls, platters, and gorgeous perfume bottles are my picks. House of Wood, 29 Tancred St. (tel. 03/755-6061), has the best range of handcrafted wooden items. Browse the creative boxes, lovely bowls, and wooden toys. You can also watch wood-turners at work in the studio. Jade Factory, 41 Weld St. (tel. 03/755-8007; www.jadefactory.com), generally has up to seven carvers at work. A big selection of excellent-quality jewelry is for sale. Westland Greenstone Ltd, 34 Tancred St. (tel. 03/755-8713), is a good place to see greenstone and paua jewelry being made. The showroom has a wide range of the finished products at factory prices.
