New Zealand was the first country in the world to trial an electronic financial transaction system called EFTPOS. Hugely successful, it is now the standard way of paying for goods and services. EFTPOS allows you to swap money from your New Zealand bank account straight into to the retailer's without any money changing hands. Be warned though; the banks are heavy-handed with transaction fees and you'll feel like Posh Spice paying for a two-dollar coffee on EFTPOS.

Now while Taupo isn't exactly West Edmonton Mall, it a sports decent-sized shopping centre offering pretty much everything a city can. Whether you want a Maori-influenced tattoo, your best DKNY dress dry-cleaned, the latest best-selling book or a sheepskin steering wheel cover for your dad's car, have your wallet handy.

Books, Magazines & Stationery
A good selection of books, magazines and stationery.

Paper Plus 27 Heu Heu St
Prices Bookshop 91 Tongariro St
Whitcoulls 31 Horomatangi St

Booze
You've got a bottle opener and you can't wait to use it … seriously good wine stocks!

Grantleys Liquor Merchants 126 Ruapehu St
Liquor King 88 Roberts St
Scenic Cellars 32 Roberts St

Liquorland 74 Tuwharetoa St

The Merchant of Taupo 114 Spa Rd

Clothing
Rest assured you wouldn't be wandering the rest of New Zealand looking like an out-of-date freak.

Hallensteins Horomatangi St,

Jay Jay's Heu Heu St
Jean Jones Tamamutu St
Just Jeans 7 Horomatangi St
Staxs Horomatangi St

Department Stores
Everyone gets a bargain at The Warehouse. Farmers is pretty good too.

Farmers Trading Co Ltd Cnr Taumamutu & Taniwha Sts
The Warehouse Ltd 11 Taniwha St

Briscoes Homeware 16-18 Gascoigne St

Laundry
Excellent drycleaning and service washes.

Central Drycleaning & Laundry Services 8 Gascoigne St