New Zealand

Maori handicrafts, including pounamu (greenstone), kete, and carvings. Pounamu is a variety of jade found in the rivers of New Zealand. The Maori carve the stone into hei-tiki, rounded pendants worn around the neck for spiritual power. The Maori make kete, woven baskets, from New Zealand flax. These beautifully crafted bags are used to carry food, shopping items, and trinkets. Search for a variety of intricate Maori carvings, including wooden weapons, utensils, and canoes, and bone and stone ornaments. Anything that has the Toi Iho mark is an authentic Maori product.

Wool clothing. The merino sheep of the South Island are renowned for their fine, thick wool, which makes up one of New Zealand's major exports. Head to Nelson, in northern New Zealand, for an excellent selection of handicrafts, including handmade woolen sweaters. In Auckland, look for sheepskin slippers and rugs, and handmade woolen sweaters, hats, and shawls in Breen's Sheepskins (6 Customs St. West), Woollywool Sheepskins Downtown (Downtown Airline Terminal), and Bast (in the Queen's Arcade, near Customs St.).