Christmas Sunglasses Gift Ideas Under $100 in New Zealand (2026)

Christmas in New Zealand falls in the middle of summer, so a new pair of sunnies tends to get used before the wrapping paper has hit the recycling. They also sit comfortably under $100, which makes them a good Christmas gift for a partner, a sibling, a mate or a teenager.

The tricky bit is that sunglasses are personal. A pair that suits one person can look all wrong on another. This guide covers how to choose, which style suits which kind of person, and what to know about delivery and returns before you order.

Start with the person, not the sunglasses

Do they wear colour? If their wardrobe is mostly black, navy and grey, a plain black pair is the safe bet. If they wear bright colours or like to stand out, a mirrored lens in a bold shade is more likely to land.

What do they already wear? Have a look at the sunglasses they reach for, and at their glasses, hats and jewellery. Most people stay inside a style they're comfortable with, so a gift that's a small step from what they own usually works better than a big leap.

Can it be swapped? Plenty of retailers won't take change-of-mind returns on sunglasses, so check the policy before you pay. A wrong-colour gift can't always be fixed after Christmas.

Matching a pair to the person

FRMZ sunglasses are one-piece shield sunglasses: a single lens across the front instead of two. All six colourways share the same straight-top shape and lightweight TR90 frame, and each pair is NZ$79.99, so the choice mostly comes down to colour. Here's how we'd match them.

For the person who wears black. The Black FRMZ has a black frame and a black lens, and it's the only non-mirrored pair in the range. It's the quietest option, and the safest if you're not sure.

For someone who likes colour, but not too loudly. The Black & Blue and Black & Purple pairs keep a black frame and put the colour in the mirrored lens, so the lens does the talking.

For someone who loves pink. The Pink & Black has a black frame with a pink mirrored lens.

For the person who likes to be noticed. The Turquoise & Orange has a turquoise frame with an orange mirrored lens. The Baby Blue & Red has a baby blue frame with a reddish-pink mirrored lens. Both bring colour to the frame as well as the lens.

To compare the finishes side by side, browse the mirrored sunglasses or the full shield sunglasses range. Mirror colours can look different on screen and in different light, so look closely at the product photos.

What to check on any pair under $100

Price isn't a reliable guide to quality. In 2023, Consumer NZ tested 50 pairs of sunglasses against the Australian standard and found nearly half failed. The pairs ranged from about $2 to nearly $200, and some good ones cost $20 or less (Consumer NZ). The relevant standard, AS/NZS 1067, is voluntary in New Zealand, so a label is only as useful as the seller behind it (Healthify).

A few simple checks work on any pair:

• Ask what the lenses are rated for, and whether the seller can back it up.
• Look through the lenses at a straight edge, such as a door frame. It shouldn't look bent or wobbly.
• Make sure the frame feels light and comfortable. A pair that pinches ends up in the drawer.

FRMZ sunglasses have polarised lenses and UV400 protection. UV400 means the lenses are rated to block UV light up to 400 nanometres, and polarised lenses are designed to cut glare, which many people notice off water and wet surfaces. If you'd like to ask about the lenses before you buy, email info@frmzeyewear.co.nz.

What arrives in the box

Every FRMZ order includes the sunglasses, a microfibre cleaning cloth, a protective pouch and an FRMZ presentation box, and each pair is quality-checked before it's dispatched. The presentation box means a gift needs very little dressing up.

Delivery and returns before Christmas

Shipping is free on every New Zealand order, rural addresses included, with no minimum spend. Orders go with NZ Post and every parcel is tracked.

• Processing: 1–2 business days.
• After dispatch: an estimated 1–3 business days to the North Island and 2–4 business days to the South Island. Rural addresses can take an additional 1–5 business days.

These are estimates, not guarantees, and December is a busy time for couriers, so order early rather than in the last week. The shipping policy has the details.

Returns are worth knowing about before you buy. We don't accept change-of-mind returns or colour and style exchanges after dispatch. If a pair is faulty, your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act apply, and we cover reasonable return costs. The returns and refunds policy has the full wording. If you're unsure which colour to pick, the Black FRMZ is the lowest-risk choice.

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