The Mangonui fish shop is world famous (according to their sign). Positioned alongside the main road as you drive through the quaint town of Mangonui, it sits on stilts over the water, next to a small jetty.
We arrived after 2pm, so we missed the traditional lunchtime rush and the tourist buses. We ordered two pieces of snapper (they charge you for the fish by weight) and a scoop of chips for only NZ$9. They give you a number and they call you when it is ready. Picnic table seating on the verandah affords you a view over the inlet. Your meal comes wrapped in paper, which brought back my fond childhood memories. We tore open our parcel to find fresh golden battered fish and a generous serve of thick cut chips. Oooh, they were sooo good! A squeeze of lemon on the fish and tomato sauce on the chips, and we devoured our lunch!