Pedestrians, cars and buskers jostled for space in a sunny central Dunedin as shoppers mobbed the streets for the annual frenzy that is Boxing Day.
Gabe McGregor joined the crowds, albeit reluctantly. He stood with a fistful of bags, waiting for his wife and two children to finish shopping.
‘‘[We came out] because they have good prices, and also the kids got a few vouchers for Christmas and they wanted to go shopping and spend them,'' he said.
About 11am, Mr McGregor and his family had already been shopping for almost two hours. They had one store to go.
‘‘[The stores] weren't so bad when we came at 9 o'clock, but I'm a bit over it now,'' he said.
‘‘I'm way past time to go home ... My wife wants to go to Paper Plus, and then we're out of here,'' he said.
Emma Taggart (16) had a cheerier outlook. She did not always go shopping on Boxing Day, but she knew what to expect, she said.
‘‘[I'm here] to get all the sales, have a look around the shops, and spend the Christmas money.''
After about an hour of shopping, Ms Taggart had emerged with a pair of shorts. And she was almost ready to go home.
The stores had been busy, she admitted. But it was all right.
‘‘I don't really mind. I guess it's what you come for.''
