The city centre’s first regular ReUse Market in 40 years is attracting people from all over Auckland as buyers and sellers.
On the second Sunday of each month, the ground floor of the Victoria Street Carpark becomes a different hive of activity when a diverse group of Aucklanders of all ages and backgrounds come together to sell and swap preloved items.
“The ReUse Market brings together people who are at a stage when they are downsizing or wanting to pass on items they no longer use, young people who love thrifting and everyone in-between,” says ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick.
Organiser Suzanne Kendrick and fairy helper Phoebe.
“Shoppers range from city centre residents to tourists. We also get a lot of curious people who park their cars in the building on their way to a city event and are pleasantly surprised to discover the market,” she says.
“People love a bargain, but they also love coming across retro things that remind them of their childhood, iconic toys like the Buzzy Bee.”
Vivien, a resident in the city, says she was passing when she saw the bright orange signs for the Reuse Market. She remembers frequent visits to flea markets with her aunts many years ago.
Now with her own extended family, including plenty of grandchildren, Vivien keeps an eye out for toys and bric-a-brac to use as prizes for the games they play at family get-togethers.
“With a large family there are birthdays every month and we like to play games for entertainment. Markets are perfect places to pick up toys and prizes,” Vivien says.
First-time stall holders Jo and Nodoka sell clothes and a wide range of items from their homes. “We saw spaces to sell from the Reuse Market advertised on social media and decided to give it a try. It’s fun!” says Nodoka.
Like Jo and Nodoka, most stall holders come in from the suburbs to sell or give away second-hand items.
Jo and Nodoka say selling at the market is fun.
Some, like Lyn, a long-time car-booter, sell items that have been passed onto them. Lyn specialises in preloved, quality linen, clothing, jewellery and homewares.
“I love the affordability and how reuse is catching on, especially amongst young people,” says Lyn.
When ReUse Market organiser Suzanne Kendrick was looking for a space for a central city flea market, her wish list included a space big enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to sell or buy preloved goods, protection from the weather, and ample parking. It seemed like a tall order, but Auckland Council's City Centre Place Activation principal Barbara Holloway knew the perfect spot – the ground level of the Victoria Street Carpark.
“We’re continuing to support initiatives like the ReUse Market that bring people into the city centre; it gives people a new reason to come and enjoy this exciting part of town, wander the lanes and rediscover midtown,” says Barbara.
With support from the city centre targeted rate, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, the ReUse Market, which launched in March 2024, is now thriving.
And with Christmas around the corner Suzanne wants to see Aucklanders try the latest social trend of ‘buy nothing new’ – at least for some of their gifts.
“If you’ve got something to sell or give away, or you’re after Christmas gifts, you can make some money, save some money and help the environment,” says Suzanne.
City centre resident Vivien searching for gift prizes.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the ReUse Market is an important initiative for the council to support to help achieve our environmental goals for Auckland.
“The ReUse Market keeps valuable resources out of landfill and aligns with our Zero Waste strategy as we enable Aucklanders to reconsider what they see as waste towards more reuse, repair and repurposing.
“It’s a great to have a ReUse Market in the city centre, joining the many new and established markets around the region,” she says.
For more information on the ReUse Market events at the Victoria Street Carpark visit ReUse Market.
