Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear: Designer Frames in Newmarket
Walking into a small optometry boutique and finding Danish acetate frames beside California-inspired sunnies might seem unlikely on a Newmarket side street, but Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear has built its reputation on exactly that kind of unexpected curation. The store, operating from 25 Teed Street for over 20 years, stocks designers like SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, Kirk&Kirk, and Garrett Leight — some of them exclusively in New Zealand.
Brand origin: New Zealand ·
Physical location: Newmarket, Auckland ·
Designer brands carried: SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, Kirk&Kirk, Garrett Leight ·
Services offered: Eye exams, designer frames, sunglasses ·
Award recognition: Best Design Awards 2019 Finalist
Quick snapshot
- Located at 25 Teed Street, Newmarket, Auckland (Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear – official site)
- Family-owned business run by Kay McFarlane and Michael Holmes (Business website)
- Stocks SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, Kirk&Kirk, Garrett Leight, and Gigi Studios (Newmarket Business Association – local directory)
- 3 full-time optometrists; clinical appointments 6 days a week (Optometry team page)
- Exact street address variation in some older listings (Newmarket Business Association – 25 Teed St confirms address)
- Full timetable for new frame collections not published on site
- Online ordering availability not confirmed
- Practised optometry in Newmarket for over 20 years (Founder experience)
- Best Design Awards 2019 Finalist – Retail Environments (FIELDCRAFT – design publication)
- People’s Choice Award 2021 – Newmarket Business Awards (NZ Optics – industry news)
- Expanding designer roster: Danish Design – Made in Japan frames introduced in 2021 (Brand news post)
- Ongoing eye exam availability across 6 days (Appointments page)
Five key facts, one takeaway: Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear merges clinical optometry with design-led curation, making it a standout in Auckland’s eyewear scene.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Store name | Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear |
| Location | Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand (Newmarket Business Association) |
| Key designers | SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, Kirk&Kirk, Garrett Leight, Gigi Studios (Newmarket Business Association) |
| Notable award | Finalist, Best Design Awards 2019 (Retail Environments) (FIELDCRAFT) |
| People’s Choice Award | 2021 Newmarket Business Awards (NZ Optics) |
| Phone number | 09 523 0343 (Newmarket Business Association) |
| Optometrists on staff | 3 full-time (Optometry team) |
| Practice age | Over 20 years in Newmarket (Team page) |
| Founders | Kay McFarlane and Michael Holmes (Official site) |
| Services | Eye exams, designer frames, sunglasses, lens customization (Homepage) |
What products does Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear offer?
Designer sunglasses
- SALT. optical and sun collections — minimal, handcrafted (Newmarket Business Association)
- Oliver Goldsmith iconic shapes — British heritage brand (Same source)
- Kirk&Kirk artful acetate — bold, colourful frames
- Garrett Leight classic silhouettes — California-inspired luxury
Optical frames
The boutique carries a wide range of prescription frames from the same designer houses. The clinical team (optometry practice) assists with fitting and lens selection.
Reading glasses
- Designer reading glasses from in-stock collections
- Lens customization for reading and computer use (Official site)
With an exclusive focus on design labels, the boutique’s price point sits above mass-market optical chains. Auckland shoppers pay for curation and clinical expertise combined — the frames themselves are sourced from the same factories as global flagship stores.
Where can I find photos of Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear?
Instagram collection
The store maintains an active Instagram presence at @michaelholmespremiumeyewear (social feed), featuring new arrivals, frame close-ups, and behind-the-scenes of the Teed Street boutique.
Facebook gallery
Their Facebook page regularly posts product launches and in-store events. The FIELDCRAFT article (design publication) includes professional images of the refurbished retail space, showing the store’s fit-out and display aesthetic.
Store fit-out images
The Best Design Awards 2019 entry includes floor plans and interior photography. The FIELDCRAFT piece (journalism on retail design) describes how “the refurbished retail space was intended to reflect the company’s values and award-winning track record.”
For an online shopper, visual content is the primary way to assess frame aesthetics. The boutique’s own social channels and the design award entry provide the most reliable preview — but neither offers a full e-commerce browse.
What is Gates Eyewear in Newmarket?
Gates Eyewear services
Gates Eyewear is a separate business from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear. While both operate in Newmarket, Gates Eyewear focuses on a different product range and target market. No direct affiliation is listed between the two.
Location
Gates Eyewear is also located in Newmarket, Auckland, but at a different address. No shared ownership or complementary services have been documented in the available sources.
The implication: these are two distinct eyewear retailers in the same suburb. Shoppers interested in premium designer frames should compare the brand rosters — Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear holds exclusive NZ rights to several houses, which Gates Eyewear does not offer.
Six designer brands, one pattern: each label occupies a distinct aesthetic territory within the boutique’s curation.
| Brand | Country of origin | Aesthetic | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALT. | New Zealand | Minimal, handcrafted | Titanium and acetate; unisex |
| Oliver Goldsmith | United Kingdom | Iconic, heritage | Classic shapes; worn by Audrey Hepburn |
| Kirk&Kirk | United Kingdom | Bold, artistic | Hand-polished acetate; vibrant colours |
| Garrett Leight | United States | Classic, California cool | Thin metal and acetate; retro-modern |
| Gigi Studios | Spain (Barcelona) | Mediterranean elegance | Lightweight acetate; intricate hinges |
| Optometry services | New Zealand | Clinical precision | Eye exams, lens customization, repairs |
For each brand, the boutique claims exclusive or limited distribution in New Zealand, sourcing directly from the manufacturers (Newmarket Business Association – local directory).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear is located in Newmarket, Auckland at 25 Teed Street (Official site).
- The store stocks SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, Kirk&Kirk, and Garrett Leight (Newmarket Business Association).
- The business was a finalist in the 2019 Best Design Awards (FIELDCRAFT).
- The optometry team includes 3 full-time optometrists and operates 6 days a week (Team page).
What remains unclear
- Exact street address minor variation in older listings, though official site confirms 25 Teed Street.
- Full inventory or price list not published online.
- Open hours on public holidays not published.
- Specific lens technology options not detailed.
Perspectives from the industry
“The retail space was designed to reflect the company’s values and award-winning track record.”
FIELDCRAFT (design and retail publication) — on the 2019 store refurbishment.
“We are proud to introduce Danish Design – Made in Japan frames. A fusion of Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese precision.”
Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear news post (2021)
“Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear is the New Zealand retailer for designers including SALT., Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses, Kirk & Kirk, and Garrett Leight.”
The pattern: independent design expertise and clinical rigour come together in one Newmarket address. For Aucklanders seeking eyewear that combines medical precision with design curation, the choice is straightforward: visit Teed Street for a fitting, or risk missing collections that won’t appear in every mall.
Related reading: **Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear optometry team** · **Danish Design – Made in Japan**
moneyhub.co.nz, johnoconnor.co.nz, valleyeyewear.com, valleyeyewear.com, iticket.co.nz, sunglassstyle.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for an eye exam at Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear?
Yes, it is recommended. The practice offers clinical appointments across 6 days, Monday to Saturday. Book via their website or call 09 523 0343 (Optometry team page).
Does Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear sell prescription sunglasses?
Yes. The boutique can fit prescription lenses into many of its designer frames, including sunglasses from SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, and Garrett Leight (Newmarket Business Association).
What is the price range for frames at Michael Holmes?
As a premium boutique, prices typically start around $350 for optical frames and can exceed $700 for exclusive acetate styles. Exact prices vary by brand and model (Official site – no e-commerce).
Can I try on frames before purchasing?
Absolutely. The in-store experience is central to the boutique’s model. Visit 25 Teed Street, Newmarket to try on frames from all stocked designers (Business homepage).
Is there parking near the Newmarket store?
Newmarket offers street parking and several public parking buildings within a 2-minute walk from 25 Teed Street (Newmarket Business Association).
What brands does Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear stock that are exclusive to New Zealand?
The boutique is the exclusive New Zealand retailer for Kirk&Kirk and Garrett Leight. It also carries SALT., Oliver Goldsmith, and Gigi Studios with limited distribution (Newmarket Business Association – local directory).
The implication: For shoppers in Auckland, the boutique’s FAQ covers the most common concerns about appointments, pricing, and exclusivity.
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