Finder’s Fi
We asked a few op-shopping experts to name their favourite spots to find bargain homeware and furniture. This month, we hit the North Island (next issue, we head south)
Part one of our op-shop road trip around Aotearoa starts in the North Island
NEW PLYMOUTH WESTOWN HOSPICE SHOP
This popular op-shop has a high turnover and puts out new stock every day, so go often and be thorough. They save some of the best bits for their annual auction, but you can still find mid-century treasures on the shop floor.
– Georgia Rose Munn, @georgiarosemunn 112 Tukapa Street, Westown, New Plymouth
NEW LYNN SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE
This store has a great selection of plates, glassware, furniture, books and picnic gear as well as some more collectable pieces behind the counter. I’ve spent many hours lost in here, and discovered lots of great finds.
– Finder’s Fi, @fiona_ralph Unit 8, 2 Margan Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland
ST JOHN WHITIANGA
These guys always seem to have interesting pieces and are really well priced. My best buys from here have been matching cane single headboards, a big wooden arched mirror and a set of retro floral mugs.
– Charlotte Burt, @thegoodswefound 29 Albert Street, Whitianga
CRANFORD HOSPICE HASTINGS
The Cranford Hospice op-shop is a treasure trove, and the ladies that run the store are marvellous at phoning me when vintage gems arrive in the store.
– Emma Hadden, @meadowoodhouse 306 Queen Street West, Hastings
ST VINCENT DE PAUL ARO VALLEY
Aro Valley’s arty and student-heavy demographic makes for some brilliant cast-offs. This shop is great for kitchenware, art and smaller furniture pieces.
– Georgia Rose Munn, @georgiarosemunn 109 Aro Street, Wellington
THAMES SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE
This shop is well stocked in the homeware department. I particularly noticed the retro lamps, cane/rattan pieces and vintage vases. They are reasonably priced and there are lots of items in really good condition.
– Charlotte Burt, @thegoodswefound 711 Pollen Street, Thames
HOSPICE WAIKATO LAKE ROAD MEGASTORE
There are two parts to this store. Out the back they have bric-a-brac and you can fill a basket for around $10; they often get nice furniture in there, too. The front op-shop has a good mix of homeware, furniture and clothes – all really reasonably priced but in better condition than out the back. I like the store because it’s always full of goodies; you definitely have to trawl through but I usually leave with one or two treasures.
– Fiona Kerr, YH&G art director, @fionamkerr 72 Lake Road, Frankton, Hamilton
ST VINCENT DE PAUL GREERTON
Greerton is amazing for op-shops – there are six within walking distance of each other. Vinnies is my fave as they have good stuff like clothing, books, household goods and antique things. Everything is so cheap and all good quality.
– Carlene Mabey, treasure hunter 134 Chadwick Road, Greerton, Tauranga
HOSPICE WHANGANUI GONVILLE
Every time I visit Whanganui I make sure to stop in at this large, well-priced op-shop. It has the best bric-a-brac selection, tons of vintage Crown Lynn plates and a good collection of retro furniture. The Whanganui East Hospice is worth checking out if you’re in the neighbourhood, too.
– Finder’s Fi, @fiona_ralph 73 Tawa Street, Gonville, Whanganui
REMAINS TO BE SCENE HAMILTON
Remains to be Scene offers a mix of furniture and homeware, all at very reasonable prices. The shop has a cool layout – there’s lots to discover further down the back, and they have a mezzanine with some really great finds!
– Fiona Kerr, YH&G art director, @fionamkerr
441 Anglesea Street, Hamilton
TAUPŌ SALVATION ARMY FAMILY STORE
A massive store with both a vintage homeware section, which is priced a little higher, and a general homeware section (which still has some vintage). There are always amazing couch sets. Worth checking out when driving through Taupō.
– Charlotte Burt, @thegoodswefound
77 Spa Road, Taupō