The Garden Party is a gift shop on Ponsonby Road in Grey Lynn, Auckland, and it began as a ceramics shop. The first shop opened in 1994, when a mother and daughter, Pam Lim and Anna, renovated an old villa on Ponsonby Road to sell hand-painted pottery plates. It grew into a shop for New Zealand-designed products, with a courtyard garden at the back. The shop later moved next door, and its ceramics work became a separate factory. The stock is mostly New Zealand made, from local designers, artists and craftspeople, with some overseas favourites. The shop says it keeps the range changing, so each visit can bring new products. Customers can shop online, where the shop will gift wrap and card an order and send it to the buyer or the recipient. The shop is open seven days, Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Phone (09) 378 7799 for questions. Our pick in Ponsonby for a New Zealand gift that has a story behind it.