The Timeless Flea Market
Travellers seeking meaningful, local experiences, enjoy attending Palmerston North and Sanson's flea markets.
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The Manawatu region rises early in the weekends, regardless of the weather, for the timeless satisfaction of the flea market experience. Shoulder to shoulder at times comparing bunches of spring onions and the colour of cut pumpkins, steady crowds of people toting their eco shopping bags from as early as 6am, purchase their week’s worth of fresh fruit and vegetables and browse at bric a brac at the local flea markets.
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The term, flea market is of French origin and dates back to the early 1920s. These days it refers to local, cash markets that sell everything from food to second hand books and hand-knitted garments. Typically, locals shop at flea markets, however more and more, experienced travellers such as 'free independent travellers’ who like to see more than traditional tourist spots, and who are generally very savvy in terms of exploring local culture and customs, are asking for information about them. The concept of a flea market is familiar to them – something they’ve already experienced in other countries such as Hong Kong, Turkey and Vietnam.
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Regulars enjoy the urbanity of shopping flea market style, and building up a rapport with the shop owners. It’s a culture unto its own, with the satisfaction of staying connected and participating in the local community an added bonus to the prices of the produce, some of which are 50% cheaper than in the supermarket. Also, for local and visiting Chinese, it’s a social highlight, where they can speak their mother tongue and buy select ingredients for their tasty cuisine. In fact, the market brings different cultures together, side by side, much like Palmerston North city’s Festival of Cultures in March each year, however the flea markets happen every week. |
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Asian greens such as Chinese cabbage and bok choy feature widely, as do tasty additions to any dish, such as freshly picked garlic chives and coriander. Combined with staple, seasonal fruit and vegetables, each stand is a colourful array. Jonathon and his wife Angela have one of the most popular stalls at the market, where they sell vegetables from their three acre block, and a range of homemade tofu, fish balls, Chinese turnip cake, Chinese dumplings and other delicacies. |
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Despite their busy lives, which involves long days and late nights running their takeaway shop in the suburb of Hokowhitu in Palmerston North, they love chatting with their regular customers and always have a bright smile for passers by. They encourage people who are unfamiliar with Chinese food to try their homemade fare, and give cooking tips for their favourite dishes.
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One of the dishes that they very proud of is the Chinese turnip cake (Law Bock Gow), which is usually served on Chinese New Year's Day as a symbol of prosperity and rising fortune. However it's slices are found all year round among the dim sums in Chinese restaurants. For those who like turnips and radishes, it is the ultimate snack, with a texture similar to polenta, best eaten after being lightly pan fried until golden on both sides. Left: Johnathon waves at the camera. Angela is to his left. |
French bread and pastries, Brazilian sweets, gluten free snacks, deep fried bread, jams, lemon honey spread, pickles, chutneys, traditional Maori bread, hot dogs, fritters and Chinese takeaway dishes, are some of the many options available for a delicious brunch.
In the warm summer months, Saturday flea market shoppers and visitors to the city also have the added benefit of starting their day with a piping hot earl grey tea or filtered coffee with a range of gourmet delights at the onsite café. Baked only a few hours earlier, the tempting choices include date, cheese or savoury pinwheel scones, generous slices of fudge brownie, and a selection of the chef’s own ‘tried and true’ recipes.
Local Products
Only available in New Zealand, and a perfect ingredient for a picnic, is a Maori favourite – rewena bread. The flavoursome rewena paraoa is an indigenous, New Zealand potato bread with both a sweetness and the hint of a sour tang, as a result of the long fermentation process that it undergoes. As with some European breads, with care, the starter (a piece of dough) can be kept indefinitely, with some as old as the cook’s memory or inherited from previous generations. The firm textured bread is the perfect accompaniment to traditional meals such as ‘boil ups’and hangi, and is also nice eaten toasted with butter and honey. This bread is sometimes available at local markets, however keen cooks can try making this at home with a recipe from Internet.
"Rewa" is the Maori word for potato.
"Hangi" is a traditional Maori meal of meat and vegetables, and sometimes pudding, steamed on hot rocks underground.
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Saturday Flea MarketVenue: Albert Sports Bar car park Corner Main Street and Albert Street, Palmerston North, New Zealand Times: 6am-10am Sunday Flea MarketsVenue: Awapuni Hotel car park 520 Pioneer Highway, Palmerston North, New Zealand Times: 7am-1pm Venue: Sanson Hotel car park Corner State Highways 1 & 3, Sanson, New Zealand Times: 7am-1pm |
For images or further information contact the friendly team at Destination Manawatu:
PO Box 12 005
Palmerston North 4444
Manawatu
New Zealand
Telephone: +64 6 350 1811
Email: office@manawatunz.co.nz
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