Op shops make extraordinary impact in community

By CathNews New Zealand

August 11th, 2026

Launch of Charitable Reuse Aotearoa (Hospice NZ)

A new collaboration between seven of New Zealand's largest charitable reuse organisations, including the Society of St Vincent de Paul, is highlighting the extraordinary impact of op shops across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Charitable Reuse Aotearoa was launched at Parliament on July 28. Its foundation members are Habitat for Humanity, Hato Hone St John, Hospice New Zealand, Red Cross, Salvation Army, SPCA and the Society of Vincent de Paul.

The body’s research shows that New Zealand’s op shops keep an estimated 41,300 tonnes out of landfill and save people $844 million each year. Charities reinvested $78 million into their social and community programmes, including hospices.

Habitat for Humanity’s Nic Greene said that until now, op shops have been underestimated in terms of their contribution to society through funds raised for social good and savings returned to shoppers.

“To think that New Zealand op shops reuse 46.9 million items in a year is astounding,” he said.

“Not only is this keeping goods out of landfill, but it is having a real impact in terms of cost-of-living relief. Op shops saved New Zealanders $844 million compared to buying new, which translates to a saving of $420 per NZ household.”

The op shops were run by more than 1550 full-time equivalent volunteers alongside 1322 paid staff.

On July 22, the Society of St Vincent de Paul also made an oral submission to Parliament’s Justice Committee expressing strong opposition to the Government’s Move-On Orders legislation.

Society president Gerry Stevens said there were already laws in place to deal with disorderly and disruptive behaviour.

“The new categories in this [Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment] Bill which are listed as justifying ‘move on’ orders are rough sleeping and begging. These activities, however disturbing they may be for passers-by, are not offences,” Mr Stevens said.

“It is a huge irony that our members can stand on the street in the CBD and request money from the public for the poor but a poor person begging there is likely to receive a move-on order,” he said.

FULL STORY

Habitat op shops contribute to massive savings for NZ households (Habitat for Humanity)

The Impact of our Op Shops (Hospice NZ)

Vinnies oppose Move-On orders legislation (Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ)