Hokey pokey ice cream is vanilla ice cream studded with small balls of golden honeycomb toffee. It is New Zealand's second most-loved flavour after vanilla, and the country's signature ice cream.
The term 'hokey pokey' for honeycomb toffee appears in New Zealand from the late 19th century. The ice cream version emerged in the mid-20th century, with solid toffee pieces. The defining moment was around 1980, when manufacturer Tip Top switched to small balls of honeycomb toffee, creating the form Kiwis know today. Hokey pokey has become a frequently cited piece of Kiwiana (the everyday national identity); the ice cream has been exported to Japan, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Tip Top still produces the canonical version, though many small NZ ice cream makers now run their own honeycomb-based flavours.
2 editor picks for Hokey Pokey Ice Cream in Auckland, ranked by editorial score. All Auckland signature dishes · Hokey Pokey Ice Cream across every city.
Bestie ★ 4.6
karangahape-road · Shop 13, St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD 1010
Bestie runs a sunny cafe in Shop 13 of St Kevins Arcade off Karangahape Road, Auckland. Brunch plates, seasonal cakes and specialty filter coffee.
The Store ★ 4.3
britomart · 5a Gore Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD 1010
The Store sits in the Britomart Pavilions at 5a Gore Street, Auckland. All-day cafe with brunch plates, deli counter, specialty coffee in a warehouse.