Taste new delights as local produce grows and thrives in the rich volcanic soil and clean peninsula air. Wines, seafood, olives, walnuts, lavender and more thrive in a perfect ecosystem and yours to enjoy.
Blue Pearl Gallery
Welcome to our family business and ‘Home’ of the Blue Pearl. We are located on the Main Wharf just 6km from the original Blue Pearl Farm, right here in Akaroa harbour.
Watch as our Master Craftsman Jewellers, Jack and Kaz, – with over 75 years experience between them – handcraft New Zealand’s largest selection of Blue Pearls. Then learn about the story of the unique Blue Pearl process in our information room.
Our Gallery also has special jewellery pieces in Baltic Amber, Tahitian Black Pearls, Greenstone, a unique handmade collection, antiques and so much more.
We can bring your old jewellery back to life – bring in your old gold and precious stones and we can redesign and create a piece that are only limited by your imagination!
SUMMER HOURS: 7 Days, 10am-4:30pm
WINTER HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-430pm
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A little history:
Jack learnt his craft from his father, eagerly picking up the tools at the young age of 7. This interest flourished with Jack continuing the family business and becoming a European-trained Master Jeweller with over 50 years’ experience. During his varied career, Jack taught his craft to students at a Technical College in Poland and was a designer for the largest jewellery company in Europe – Pierre Lang – in Vienna, Austria. His dream of immigrating to New Zealand with his wife and two daughters came true in 1986. Here Jack continued to hone his craft by opening a small boutique store and workshop in Christchurch, adding Kiwi inspiration into his designs.
In 2000, Jack met Roger Beattie, the force behind Eyris Blue Pearls. And to this day, we work closely with Roger and the team at Eyris who source and provide us with the World’s best Blue Pearls. We set these in our own custom-designed pieces and our extensive range is exhibited, right here in our Blue Pearl Gallery, in Akaroa.
Some of our team’s artistic professional highlights include:
*Our team was called upon to create a unique Eyris Blue Pearl brooch for Queen Elizabeth. The New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, presented it to her in September, 2013. To our honour, the Queen has since worn it several times.
*The following year, in 2014, Kate Middelton, the Duchess of Cambridge was gifted a pair of Eyris Pearl earrings, during their Royal Highnesses’ Tour of New Zealand and Australia.
*2019 marked the 30th year of the Cancer Society’s Ball, and with 30 being the ‘year of the Pearl’, we thought it only fitting to donate an Eyris Blue Pearl diamond enhancer for the charity auction.
*We supported “Variety – The Children’s Charity” through the creation of an Eyris Blue Pearl earring and pendant set. This was worn by Miss World 2003 at a live auction.
*The creation of Kiwi songstress Hayley Westenra’s dazzling one-carat while and argyle diamond platinum ring in 2012.
*And one of Jack’s favourite creations - a commission for a small amber-and-white gold ice pick gifted to Sir Edmund Hillary in 2004 on his trip to Europe.
Mr Peacock,
Colourful Clothing for All
Quality hand-crafted clothing designed in Akaroa by Emma Manhart and husband Mark Kolff, made in the South Island by talented small-scale makers. At Mr Peacock we create a unique world of colour, style and fashion. We pride ourselves on our great cut and designs from coats to dresses to fit the ‘real woman’ and a ‘bespoke’ range of shirts for both men and women. We love encouraging and helping people to dress with boldness and to explore their inner Peacock. Above all we want you to have fun strutting your stuff and feel special when wearing our clothes. So come and discover us now or check out our online shop at mrpeacock.co.nz
You will find us located between Akaroa’s historic bank and St Peter’s Church on Rue Balguerie.
open 5 days
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Closed on Monday & Tuesday
Outside of these hours we are happy to open by appointment.
Just call Mark on 0272703965
Emma Manhart designer and co-owner of Mr Peacock has shown at NZ Fashion Week and is a previous WearableArt (WOW) award winner.
Emma and Mark are interviewed here by" STUFF" To view the article click HERE.
Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
The original Barrys Bay Dairy Factory opened in 1895, so we are proud to have been operating for over 125 years! Originally one of 9 small dairy cooperatives on Bank Peninsula, Barrys Bay is the last surviving cheese factory and an icon of the area. To allow for expansion, our current cheese factory was built in 1953 and by all accounts was the most modern factory in NZ at the time. Today we still use traditional recipes & methods brought to NZ by the early English settlers, as well as some European style recipes we have picked up along the way. Some of our favourite cheeses are Havarti, Maasdam, Aged Gouda, Rinded Cheddar and Peninsula Blue. We believe using fresh, local milk is the key to producing such consistent, beautiful cheese. Stop in at our factory shop on your way to Akaroa, where you can watch the Cheesemakers in action through our viewing window on weekdays (Sept – May).
In the weekend and on non-make days, ask our team to play the DVD about our cheesemaking process. Enjoy complimentary cheese samples and shop our range of local wines, craft beer, preserves and other goodies on offer.
Our factory shop is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm.
Akaroa Winery
Akaroa Winery is a beautiful Mediterranean style venue, overlooking the stunning Akaroa inlet. Nestled in Takamatua Valley, the organic, family-owned vineyard is located on the north facing slopes of the lush hills of Banks Peninsula overlooking Takamatua Bay. We produce the highest quality grapes with every aspect of our growing and planting dedicated to the environment, using sustainable farming techniques. We believe that our fruit makes superior wines. We are focused on creating extraordinary age-worthy wines that express the unique characteristics of the fruit from Takamatua Valley. The rugged terrior of our vineyard produces wines with great intensity and finesse. Enjoy...
Akaroa Winery will be closed from 3rd May - 1st September and will reopen in Spring with new wines to try!
Akaroa Winery, situated in Takamatua valley, overlooks the beautiful local harbour. Akaroa Winery is Akaroa's first and only certified Organic Vineyard and Winery Estate. Tour the vineyard and modern wine making facility. Taste some of the many wine vintages available while touring the amazing grounds and see the "dirt to bottle" experience first hand. Complimentary Shuttle Service available.
Open daily 11am to 4pm.
Private Tours and Tastings can be made by appointment.
Contact Allan for more information.
Pot Pourri - Fudge
Pot Pourri's homemade fudge has been lovingly made in our kitchen for over 17 years.
We have perfected the art of fudge making and have customers returning from far and wide to purchase our delicious creamy buttery fudge.
Regular comments we hear from our customers are - "The best fudge I have ever tasted!" "It is so creamy" "Delicous!" "Do you really make this?" "I don't usually like fudge but this is amazing"
We are passionate about our product and every tray is made with love.
We make over 50 flavours and offer free tastings, so come in for a taste.
Open 9-5.30 7 days a week
Akaroa Salmon
Sail a few kilometres into the mouth of the Akaroa Harbour and in deep water Lucas Bay near the shore you’ll find crop circles. These are round pens and they hold salmon. The farm began in the mid 1980’s by the Bates family. The location is right in the band of the eastern South Island coastline where the wild salmon prowl at sea. They keep the stocking density very low and feed a low energy diet so the salmon grow slowly and as lean as they are in the wild. We are proud to supply salmon from farm to plate. 'The Good Oil'.
Akaroa Farmers Market
Visit the Akaroa Farmers Market every Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm from October to April. Banks Peninsula has an abundance of produce and passionate gardeners. Our stallholders offer locally grown fruit, veges, herbs, honey, olive oil, olives, nuts and flowers plus locally produced preserves, pickles, jams, sauces, bread, pastries, lavender products, plants, and more.
For more Information on the Akaroa Farmers Market talk to one of the stall holders or contact Neil Barnett.
The Akaroa Farmers Market have a new Facebook page to let folk know what’s happening, what’s in season, who's selling what and any specials stall holders are offering.