Wellington, New Zealand

Located on the corner of Cuba & Abel Smith streets, this is by far the biggest and most comprehensive music store in Central Wellington (Te Aro). It is sited at the head of the bohemian Cuba st. district, close to the legendary Fidel's cafe and various other drinking/eating/sleeping institutions. All but the most obscure musical territories are covered within its' bounds, and you can obtain classic vinyl here for RIDICULOUSLY low prices at times, especially when you take into international exchange rates. There are other branched elsewhere in New Zealand, the Auckland branch being the biggest (but also the music content of the store is diluted at that location due to the marketing of so many other types of goods). It is also possible to search the website for releases.

Slow Boat Records
Also located on Cuba st., this lovely record store has a more boutique angle, and is probably more useful to you if you are looking for music other than electronic, although I have bought many electronic releases from this store. The emphasis os strongly on vinyl. It is also nested snugly within the dining/accomodation district, most notably adjacent to Midnight Espresso (my fave!), and Indigo Bar & Venue (where I worked as a live sound technician for 5 years). Recommended.

Firm Records
Shop 6, 120 Victoria Street, Te Aro. A record store specialising in Progressive Trance, House and Progressive House. Good selection but a bit pricey for me :( Also run an independant radio staion Firm.FM, netcast is down atm...

MORE TO COME PENDING RESEARCH/

is the anarchist bookstore still open? they have/used to have a small selection of local underground punk and secondhand punk on vinyl and cd

is it true that wonderland records has moved from Lower Hutt out to Wainui??

that place was the best for metal vinyl...

yep; Anarchist bookstore is now in Oblong, which is on West Bank, just off Cuba Mall... They haven't got a huge selection, but there is stuff that's unlikely to be anywhere else. There's also a small clothing store in the same arcade that has a few local cds/ zines too. Can't its name, maybe 'dandylion' or something similar.

Samurai Store

Samurai Store specialises in Drum N Bass, Dubstep, Breaks, with the odd bit of electronica, techno and hip hop. Records, CDs, and a full range of related merchandise and gig tickets are also available.

Location: Downtown Wellington - Lambton
Address: 151 Willis Street, Wellington
Phone number: +64 4 3842145
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.samuraistore.co.nz

Anyone got any updates on Wellington? Haven’t been there for five years, so other than knowing RealGroovy shut down and Rough Peel (A: 173 Cuba Street, P: 04 803 3726, E: [email protected]) opening up, I’d like to know so I can plan a trip there soon.

Rough Peel has been replaced by Flying Nun Records. Unsure if RP has moved elsewhere, but Flying Nun has opened in the same shop.
It has a selection of the Flying Nun label (of course) as well as a general selection of vinyl - pop/rock/electronica/jazz etc. Sadly, nothing special in the electronica section.

Slow Boat is still going in the same location as above.