Market offers more than shopping

A new summer market at Mount Maunganui aims to become a meeting place where locals and visitors can catch up and share ideas.
The Little Big Markets will sell vintage clothing, samples and seconds, jewellery, arts, crafts, home baking and more.
The market will open for the first time on Saturday, November 6, and will operate nearly every second Saturday throughout summer in the space on the corner of Maunganui Rd and Matai Rd (next to Zespri).
The market is the brainchild of local fashionistas and businesswomen Rachelle Duffy and Kelly Barriball.
Mrs Duffy, who owns Idiom Boutique on Devonport Rd with husband Chris, had the idea for the market.
She teamed up with Ms Barriball, who owns online vintage clothing and accessories store Gran's Loose Change.
Stall holders already signed up include Idiom Boutique, Gran's Loose Change, Riddle Me This, Sisters, greenstone artist Paul Graham, Marama Massage and RPM.
The pair were inspired by markets they had visited while living in Sydney and London.
"I used to go to buy some flowers and fresh fruit, and catch up with friends," Mrs Duffy said of the London markets.
"I'd love for it to get to the point where people would say 'I'll meet you at Little Big Markets' and grab a coffee. That's ideally creating an atmosphere."
While the idea started as a fashion market, it soon expanded to become a community venture with "something for everyone".
"We are really trying to drive a community feel to the market," Mrs Duffy said.
"There's so many creative people of all age groups [at the Mount]. We wanted to create an outlet for people to get to know each other, and connect the dots for people."
They are encouraging market-goers to bring a picnic blanket, and use the market as a place to "hang out", as well as  shop.
And while there will be bargains to be had, don't expect any junk at this market.
"There's definitely going to be a vintage element - both Idiom and Gran's Loose Change are doing vintage stalls," Mrs Duffy said.
"At the same time it's not a car-boot sale in that you just turn up on the day."
Ms Barriball described The Little Big Markets as a "designer creative market".
Fashion buys could include designer bargains of last season's stock, while some vintage items would be available for as little as $5. While it would be more expensive than some other markets, that was because of the high quality.
"There's still going to be some good bargains to be had," Mrs Duffy said.
Feedback about the venture had been overwhelmingly positive, the women said.
"Everyone has been saying 'this is exactly what Tauranga and the Mount needed',"Mrs Duffy said.
Word had spread through social media and word of mouth.