While there are plenty of markets dotted around the Auckland region, few are as popular and well-loved as the Matakana Village Farmers' Market. Everyone I’ve ever met in the city has been or knows someone who has.

The market is proud of their zero-waste ethos. If you visit, you’ll find barista-made coffee, smoothies, local produce, dips and spreads, cold-pressed olive oil, crepes, sweet treats, fresh eggs and live music by the riverside. My favourite things to buy here are the smoothies, pies, freshly baked bread and giant glass jars of pesto (the best I’ve tried).

My family and I love coming here to pick up gourmet picnic treats and then spending the day at Tāwharanui Regional Park.

While you’re here, Matakana is worth exploring. It’s an ultra-cute town with surf shops, cafes, pubs and a beautiful bookstore. It gets jam-packed here, particularly at the weekend, so I recommend factoring some time into your schedule to sit in a traffic jam. There is parking right beside the market, but if you’re coming from Auckland, I recommend going straight to the big carpark on the righthand side of the road just before you drive into Matakana. You can’t miss it. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to the market.