OWAKA BOOKS

19/04/2026

PS - please check out our Trade Me listings, as we will be loading them up during the winter. Pick up available.

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19/04/2026

The school holidays are over and things are all starting to wind down. Including the temperature! Just giving you all a bit of a 'heads up' that we will be moving to our winter hours from the 1st May. That means our official opening hours will be 10-4 on Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. There will be lots of changes happening over the winter, so watch this space!

However, if you know you will be in town and you would like to pop in, please flick me a message or give me a call. If I am available I will be happy to open up for you.

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16/04/2026

Winter is coming...

Stay warm and browse through some of our cookbooks, planning your next bit of deliciousness!

10/04/2026

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...

I had a lady come into the shop who was Jock Hobbs' granddaughter. She asked me to get in touch if I ever got any books about him but I cannot find her details. If you know the lady I mean, I have a mint condition copy of 'Remembering Jock' edited by Charlie Haddrell that I would love her to see.

10/04/2026

Here are some photos of our rugby display, as promised. Found some more books for it since taking these!

05/04/2026

I know it's not actively raining (at the moment) but that black sky makes it look like a great day to curl up with a good book. You are on your hold, after all! Why not come in and see if you can find one in our 'E is for Easter' display? All are books whose authors' names begin with an E. We have fire roaring, just to tempt you further...

31/03/2026

Hi guys, we will be closed on Good Friday but open in the afternoon on Easter Sunday from 2pm. Look forward to seeing you then.

Just a reminder - we may look shut a lot of the time but if the secondhand shop across the road is open then whichever of us is in there would be only too happy to open the bookshop for you!

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30/01/2026

Are you going to the Burt Munro this year? If you would like something to read during the downtime between races, we have a little bit of everything - plus some local handmade soaps to wash off the race/road grime!

Our table display at the moment is crimes and thrillers. There are some absolute crackers!

28/12/2025

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and are enjoying the holidays. Best wishes for the New Year! We are open most days at the moment, so do pop in and say hello if you are passing.

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28/11/2025

Sing it with me..."It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..."

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and reading something under a tree is now an appealing option. The wonderful thing about books is that they are a gift that needs no batteries, can give years of pleasure and are a year-round treat. But Christmas is special.

In Iceland, Christmas Eve is a day for exchanging gifts and reading quietly together which is my idea of heaven. Lets get that tradition off the ground in Aotearoa!

However, if you are looking for a luxurious little stocking-stuffer for a non-reader, we also stock handmade soaps and shampoo bars. I have a wide range of decorative tins and gauzes which will make wrapping a dream.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

30/10/2025

So, The Big Clean-Up (as it shall be known) is underway. Despite the weather. If you want to escape the stress of dealing with storm damage, insurance or just general trauma, books are a great option. They can take you out of yourself and a long way away.... I've been hooking into crime fiction and have a renewed appreciation for Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels, and Stephen Booth's writing. I would be interested in hearing what you would recommend.

And if you need some help, please feel free to post here or dm me and I'll see what I can do.

Next week, I will be running an auction to raise money for the mayoral relief fund. Please keep your eyes open for further details.

23/10/2025

I've never experienced wind like it. There is widespread property damage in town. Both shops are shut. Stay off the roads and stay safe. There are roofs that have been stripped and iron is flying everywhere.