New Zealand's auction houses offer a treasure trove of unique furniture and art you won’t find anywhere else. New Zealand’s small size can make it difficult to find furniture that’s unique and high-quality. While there are many places you can shop for second-hand furniture, finding really special pieces to add to your home can be more of a challenge. That’s where furniture auctions can come in. They fill the gap between buying second-hand and buying new mass-produced furniture.
Buying furniture at auction isn't just about finding the perfect piece to adorn your living room or dining area; it's also about the excitement of discovering unique pieces that aren’t available anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of auctions, bidding on furniture, art and homeware items can be an exciting hobby.
Furniture auctions have a reputation for being expensive or full of old, dusty antiques. However, the type of furniture sold at auction varies greatly and includes retro, antique, designer and handmade furnishings. Furniture auctions are also a great place to find a bargain, especially if you’re patient.
Here are some of the best places to buy furniture at auction in New Zealand
Kiwi Wealth House, 94 Featherston Street, Wellington
Dunbar Sloane has been a family-owned and operated auction house since 1919 and is the perfect place to find that special piece of furniture or artwork to add to your home. See them for art, jewellery, Maori, Oceanic and African artefacts, antiques and decorative art, silver, antiquarian books and maps, Asian art, ceramics, militaria and antique weapons.
Looking for a special piece of furniture that will make your room stand out from the crowd? Their specialist valuers are experienced in sourcing furniture, including pieces from Art Nouveau, Art Deco Scandinavian, mid-century and New Zealand designers. They also have regular estate sales, which can include anything from high-quality pieces of furniture to jewellery and art. You can bid at auction in person at their Wellington auction house or online. Bidding is also open to international bidders.
7A Veronica St, New Lynn, Waitakere City, Auckland
Auckland City Auctions have thousands of individual items carefully picked by their owner-operator Rob. You’ll find a wide range of high-quality furniture ranging from LazBoy suites to brand-new furniture, secondhand shelving and new and used office furniture. Despite the name, Auckland City Auctions no longer sells items at auction due to the rising cost to the buyer. Instead, they’re dedicated to helping you buy affordable furniture at a great price. If you’re outside Auckland, check out their listings on TradeMe. They’ll even ship your purchases nationwide. Popular listings include leather couches, wooden bedroom furniture, wooden bed bases, coffee tables and shelving units.
23 Marion Street, Wellington and 33a Normanby Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Webb's has a reputation as one of the most prestigious auction houses in New Zealand. Their team of experts are specialists in the fields of art, especially Chinese and Asian Art. Founder Peter Webb has a long history as an art curator and has brought this eye for art to the auction house. Webb’s also specialises in decorative arts, jewellery, watches, luxury accessories, wine and whiskies. They have two locations in Wellington and Auckland and an online portal for bidding.
Viewings: The Estate at Webb’s 31d Normanby Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
The Estate at Webb's offers a diverse collection of design items every two weeks. Situated near their main Auckland gallery, this new space provides a unique opportunity to purchase mid-century furniture, antiques, glass, ceramics, and art at affordable prices. Whether you’re a collector or someone looking for special items for their home, you’ll find well-known brands like Eames, Backhouse, and Don, alongside works by up-and-coming designers. Auctions at The Estate take place online. However, each item is on physical display in the space for a week before the auction ends. This allows bidders to examine the pieces and consult with their team in person.
webbs.co.nz/departments/theestate
5 Carroll St, Dunedin
Hayward's Auction House is a locally owned and operated auction house located in Dunedin and serving customers throughout the lower South Island. Located in central Dunedin, Hayward's Auction House has a long history, dating back to the 1950s under various names. In 2015 Hayward’s became Otago's only full-service auction house. Their speciality auctions draw buyers from across the country. Whether you are looking for fine art, antiques, garden tools, furniture, musical instruments or home furniture, they are a popular choice for people looking to clear estates or downsize to smaller homes. They have an online bidding portal and bidding is open to New Zealand residents.
53 Rutherford Street, Nelson
Nelson Auction House is a locally owned and operated auction business located in the heart of Nelson. They are active members of the Auctioneers Association of New Zealand. They are committed to finding high-quality secondhand furniture, tools, kitchenware, appliances, collectables, art, antiques, freight-damaged goods, and bulk foodstuffs for auction. They also ship nationwide.
553 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Cordy’s auctions have operated since 1964, originally auctioning stamps, coins, artwork and other collectables. Today they also deal in estate sales. Their weekly auctions include between 500 to 700 lots of everything from vintage items, antiques, mid-century and modern furniture, bone china, crystal, silver plate, toys, rugs, art, jewellery, lighting, mirrors, and more. They have online auctions and are open for in-person viewings and auctions from Monday to Friday.
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