Traders Market to open up in Taihape in time for winter

The Taihape Town Hall will host the first Traders Market this weekend.

Taihape is to get its own weekend market, starting this Sunday.

It's been organised by local woman Kerry Stephens, who said there had been markets popping up in the town in the past but nothing seemed to stick.

"I'm hoping that this one might be something new and definitely that it continues," she said.

"Taihape's got a lot to offer and it's a really good town in a really good position with the highway going through and the tourists.

"There's really good food here, amazing cafes, there's a lot of shops open on a Sunday, but a lot of people just seem to pass through so I felt that it was something that might encourage people to stop."

She said about half her available stalls had been picked up and she was hoping to get more sellers to jump on board.

"We're doing really well ... up until probably Friday it was a reasonable response ... over the weekend people have contacted me and there's been even more.

"I think people leave it until they feel quite confident that other people are going to be doing something and then they'll jump in as well."

The stalls that have signed up so far are selling things like functional oils, French cheese and blow-up toys.

There'll also be free sustainable bags for shoppers.

Stephens said she will give five stalls to community causes every market and this weekend they'll feature the under-18 rafting team from Mangaweka, as well as the local musuem.

The Taihape Traders Market will kick off about 10am at the Taihape Town Hall and run until about 2pm.