Chances are if you're coming to New Zealand you'll be flying in to Auckland. You'll probably be staying downtown, which is where most of the stores are. Or if you're not staying downtown, all buses and trains lead to downtown, so you should have no problem getting there. It's worth noting that the website www.maxx.co.nz run by the regional council can plan your journey around Auckland for you, telling you what bus or train to take and how far you'll have to walk. If you can't access the internet where you're staying, you can call MAXX on 3666400.
Real Groovy
438 Queen Street, Downtown
Phone +64-9-302-3940, or call free 0800 GROOVY (within NZ only); Fax +64-9-302-3955 www.realgroovy.co.nz
Hours: 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday, 9am-7pm Sunday and public holidays
open every day except Xmas
This is probably the biggest record store in the country. Has vinyl and CDs of every genre - pop, rock, jazz, world, country, classical, metal, alternative/punk, reggae, and of course electronic. Heaps of sale bins. New and used stock. I would allow at least 2-4 hours, probably more like a whole day if you are a serious collector with wide-ranging tastes.
Definitely a must-see if you're in Auckland
Beat Merchants
31 Victoria Street East, Downtown (easy to find, just make sure you're on Victoria Street East and not Victoria Street West ;)
Phone +64-9-302 2328 Fax +64-9-302 2018
Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 10am to 6pm; Fri 10am to 7pm; Sat 10am to 5pm; Sun 1pm to 5pm www.beatmerchants.co.nz
I actually went to this store yesterday. It's a good place to find some NZ Hip-Hop. I'd say the store is at least 50% hip hop, both on CD and vinyl. The reggae/dub section is pretty good, lots of 7", and a large sale bin of them too. The drum'n'bass is a small section up the back, but I imagine it's worth checking out since I reckon these guys look like they know what they're doing. Also has some DJ gear.
DMC
High Street, Downtown (not sure what number, but it's right at the Victoria Street East end, only about 50m in, maybe less)
Not sure of the hours, probably regular business hours; they've probably got a URL that I'll have a look for some time
Mainly the stockists of an array of expensive DJ equipment, they also have a small selection of vinyl. It appears to be house, with some tech-house and some breaks thrown in for good measure. has sale bins.
...this probably represents the extent of it, as at april 2008. I just had to delete two that have closed down. really your only option remains Real Groovey. I would imagine they probably wound up with a lot of the stock from the places that closed down...
