Second – hand shops was the answer to my question and I thought the lady was joking. (There are second – hand shops all over the country.)

We were on our way from Taupo to Auckland with short stopovers in Te Aroha, Paeroa and Waihi.

Welcome to PAEROA ANTIQUE TOWN OF NEW ZEALAND is written on the shop on the other side of the road

Te Aroha is a beautiful town and we spent some time there. It was good to look around a bit and refresh ourselves in a coffee shop. The town is alright in summer, but I am told that the place does not get much sun in winter.

Because of the burning sun we stopped in Paeroa to buy some sun block.

I stayed at the car and when someone came along I asked what a tourist must see when in Paeroa.

The answer was second – hand shops and the answer was no joke.

PAEROA is the antique town of New Zealand. I was in fact looking at an antique shop not too far away without knowing it.