There are few outdoor markets where you can find solace for the inner soul while warming the soles of your feet at the same time.
Rotorua's Kuirau Park Food Market caters for both.
The natural geothermal heat underneath the footpath helps keep the feet warm on cold winter mornings while a succulent whitebait fritter or spicy curry feeds a raging appetite.
The weekly Saturday morning market celebrates 25 years this week - preceding many of the more well-known markets which have become popular in the past decade.
After a number of reincarnations, including different venues and names, the Rotorua market has truly become an institution among residents.
Rick Mansell, of Rotorua North Rotary, which operates the market, says people recognise it now not only as a place to buy reasonably priced globally inspired delicacies but also a focal point to meet and talk.
It has become a place to get breakfast, meet for a quick bite after a sports game, or grab a coffee and chat to stallholders and other market dwellers.
"There is a community feeling about the market, it's a friendly, colourful place to meet, talk and share ideas," he says.
Rick is the head volunteer, one of two Rotary members who keep an informal eye over proceedings each week.
"It has become the biggest single event in Rotorua with anywhere between 2500 and 4000 people wandering through each week," he says.
So popular has the market become in selling food and fresh produce that local businesses have joined the stallholders.
One of the keys to success is the three fresh produce stallholders keeping prices to a minimum.
The market offers a range of food from Asia, Pacific Islands, Europe and Africa, as well as Thai massages, Maori craft, handmade soaps, or knitted socks and jerseys.
"Some restaurant owners say they have a better return at the market on Saturday mornings than they have during some weeks on their premises."
Stallholders arrive before sunrise and vary in number between 50 to 80 depending on the weather.
The hot food stalls - offering anything from French crepes to Chinese dumplings - take the prime spots at the centre of the site near the children's playground at Kuirau Park, while the fresh produce stalls and used goods take up the remainder of the site.
"We like to keep the operation as independent as possible for the stallholders," Rick says.
Kuirau food market turns 25
"All they need is a food licence from the council, we keep everything to a minimum and let them go and do their own thing," he says.
There are few if any restrictions - unlike other markets which allow only one seller of a particular product - the Rotorua market doesn't set a limit.
Stall positions are keenly sought after and self regulated by the stall holders.
"You are soon told if you have taken someone's place but we have very few disagreements.
"It's significant that the stallholders make it work themselves."
It is also a "testing ground" for budding entrepreneurs wanting to try out a design or recipe.
The market raises significant funds for the community - as much as $50,000 a year is donated back to local and international projects, Rick says.
The market began as a 'flea market' in July 1988 on a site now occupied by the Novotel Lakeside Hotel.
It later began operating as the Rotorua Charity Market under the guidance of Kerry and Pat Murphy, Ron and Leslie Finn and latterly by Rotorua North Rotary club volunteers who set up and clean the site after everyone else has gone home.
Current Rotorua North Rotary president Gary Adlam, and Paul Adlam, ran the market for 13 years on four different sites at Dress-for-Less, Central Mall, Distinction Hotel Fenton St, and Froude St at Whakarewarewa.