One of the finest ways to immerse yourself in a city’s culture is to visit its local markets. The markets in the Auckland area are not limited to fresh fruit and everyday goods; they also include local arts and crafts, delectable food and beverages, and they give you a fair chance of bargaining your favourite products to your own liking.
The Otara Flea Market (OFM) opened in 1976 and has been a vital part of the community ever since. OFM applied to extend the current Market operation in 2008, requesting an additional 106 parking places, including those on Watford Street and within Te Puke o Tara Community Hall. OFM changed their name to Otara Markets in 2019 to reflect their future direction.
Their objective is to be Auckland’s best market. Every action they do is directed at enhancing the success of our community of Otara, our people, and our environment.
The Otara Markets have a dynamic cultural ambience and contribute to the picture of a bustling town by adding another dimension of diversity and excitement.
Typically hosted on weekends, Otara Market offers a diverse range of unique, handcrafted jewellery, arts, crafts, and fresh local cuisine. If you’re visiting the Otara market, bring your hunger — you’ll be able to indulge in a variety of morning treats or stock up on delectable treats for a picnic breakfast or lunch.
At the market, you can purchase fresh local fruit and scrumptious food products, as well as arts, crafts, and jewellery. They feature a wide selection of high-quality and reasonably priced vegetables, delicious meals, indigenous items, and fantastic discounts for everyone.
A selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as delectable delicacies such as Hangi, Island Doughnuts, Poke, Mayonnaise, Chop Suey, Kebabs, Pork Buns, Sushi, Toro Churros, Souvalaki, Coconut Bread, Fried Bread, and the eternally famous Bacon & Egg and Steak rolls!
Authentic Māori, Pacific, Asian, and Indian cuisine, apparel, and art are available. They feature a variety of fresh clothes booths, including urban streetwear, religious attire, and designer apparel.
Not to mention Polynesian music and DVDs, t-shirts, presents, toys, jewellery, shoes, sarongs, handcrafted duvets and pillows, and electrical items.
Additionally, second-hand clothing, trinkets, plants, seedlings, handmade jams, pickles, cakes, and cookies are available for those who like to keep it vintage.
Naturally, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, and Niuean art and culture are represented, including tapa, unique jewellery, headpieces and headgear, pupu, korowai, kete, bone carving, pounamu, and lava lava.
Visit the Otara Markets on Saturday mornings to immerse yourself in the vibrant melting pot of cultures that is Auckland City. Cultural performances, live music, traditional food, apparel, jewellery, and arts and crafts make this market authentic and exciting. For a sample of traditional street food from around the world, visit the vibrant Auckland Night Markets, which are hosted in areas such as Onehunga, Henderson, and Pakuranga on various nights.
The Otara Markets are open every Saturday from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. They are located behind the Otara Town Centre in the car park.
Visit them here to check out all the amazing stalls: https://www.otaramarkets.co.nz/stall-listing/