In today’s fast-paced, online world, it’s easier than ever to click a button and have your purchase shipped from halfway across the globe. Convenience is king — and we get it. But at what cost? More and more, big online retailers are pulling customers away from local businesses, threatening the survival of our town centres, unique brands, and family-run shops. Huge global bohemoths are flooding our landfills with junk, poor quality gear that comes at a huge environmental, social and economic cost.
At Blitz Surf Shop, we’re proud to be a family-owned and operated surf shop based in Gisborne, Aotearoa. We’re passionate about surfing, our community, and the local brands that help make this place so special. We also do our best to provide great quality gear from sought after international surf and skate brands so you can get a great variety of top-quality, sought after gear locally.
So let’s take a moment to explore why shopping locally matters, and how you can still do it — even when shopping online.
The Economic Benefits of Shopping Local
When you spend your money at a local business, more of that money stays in the community. It helps pay local wages, support other local suppliers, and circulate through the economy in ways that benefit everyone — from the bakery down the road to the surfboard shaper up the coast. Then local businesses get a chance to give back by supporting local kaupapa
Did you know that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, up to 70% stays local, compared to less than 40% when you shop at a national chain or overseas store? It’s a ripple effect that strengthens our entire community.
The Social Benefits of Supporting Local
Shopping local also helps maintain the unique character of our towns and cities. Local businesses like Blitz Surf Shop aren’t just retail spaces — they’re places where people connect, get advice, and feel part of something. We know a lot of our customers by name, we surf with them, our kids go to school with theirs, we know the local surf breaks and conditions, and we’re always happy to yarn.
Plus, we proudly stock and promote Gisborne-based and Māori-owned brands, like:
-
Gizzy Hard – Our own exclusive label, born and bred in Tairāwhiti. It captures the gritty, authentic spirit of our region and is only available at Blitz Surf Shop.
-
Wai-Tai Aotearoa – A locally owned, Māori-inspired clothing and accessory brand deeply influenced by Te Ao Māori. With bold designs, cultural integrity, and a commitment to authenticity, Wai-Tai is a taonga in our store and a brand we're honoured to support. Designs by well-known local ta moko artists Maia Gibbs and Henare Brooking this is a grassroots, organically growing brand inspired by te ao Maori and our love of the moana. Look for future drops of fleece, beanies, Maori boardshorts, beanies and Maori hooded towels. Follow Wai-Tai Aotearoa here on Instagram or here on Tiktok to keep in touch of future developments and enjoy some free Maori tuition about words and places related to the moana.
But What About Online Shopping?
We hear it all the time: "It’s just easier to shop online." And that’s fair — online shopping is convenient, especially when life is busy. But here’s the good news: you can still support local businesses online too. The threat that online shopping has posed to local businesses has lead most smart business owners to go online too. The amount of business that has gone outside of your home town has had to be offset with business from elsewhere. Click and collect locally or home delivery, we can do it all for you with our online surf shop at www.blitzsurf.co.nz
Blitz Surf Shop is online 24/7 at www.blitzsurf.co.nz, where you’ll find all the surfwear, gear, and accessories you’d see in-store — including exclusive and locally made products. That means you can enjoy the ease of shopping from your phone or laptop, while still supporting a local, family-run business.
The Risk of Not Shopping Local
Every time a local purchase is lost to an overseas mega-retailer, or even a large national competitor, it chips away at our town centres, our local jobs, and our small business culture. Entire shopping areas can become hollowed out when locals no longer feel it’s worth it to keep their doors open.
But we can all make a difference.
Here’s how you can help:
-
Choose local first. If you can get it from a NZ-owned business — even better, one in your region — go for it.
-
Shop directly from the brand or local retailer instead of third-party platforms where they lose margins.
-
Tell your friends. Word-of-mouth is powerful. Recommend your favourite local spots.
-
Engage online. Follow, like, and share posts from your local businesses — it helps us grow and reach others.
Growing Together — Local and National
Our goal at Blitz Surf Shop is not just to serve Gisborne and the East Coast, but to represent authentic New Zealand surf culture on a national level. By shopping with us, whether in-store or online, you’re backing homegrown brands, local jobs and growth, local knowledge, and a genuine Kiwi surf lifestyle.
We’re proud to offer a wide range of the best surfwear and gear, from big names like Quiksilver, Rip Curl, and Billabong — to local legends like Gizzy Hard and Wai-Tai Aotearoa. Whether you’re after a new wetsuit, a pair of jandals for the kids, or a poncho towel after your morning surf, we’ve got you sorted.
Be Part of the Local Movement
So next time you’re about to check out your cart on some international or out of town website, have a think: Can I buy this locally instead?
And if the answer is yes — we’d love to help.
Head over to www.blitzsurf.co.nz, or pop in and see us in Gisborne.
Or check out the websites of your other favourite local businesses.
Your support keeps local businesses alive — and we reckon that’s something worth backing.
Shop local. Shop smart. Shop Blitz.
