A LEGACY OF GIVING

Rooted in service and community spirit, the Matakana Op Shop has a long and generous history.

Constructed in 1914, the building the op shop now occupies first served as the Matakana Post Office – the heart of village communication in those days. When the post office eventually closed, the hall stood empty for a time, until a group of determined church ladies saw its potential. As part of a parish initiative, they decided to transform the unused space into an op shop that would raise funds for the local community.

Today, the shop thrives with the help of 30 dedicated volunteers – some working one shift a month, others turning up faithfully each week. Together, they embody the shop’s two guiding philosophies: community assistance and sustainability. Donations flow in from Matakana and beyond, filling the old post office with everything from books and clothing to furniture and treasures of the past.

Each Tuesday morning, a cheerful team of ladies gathers to sort through new donations, restock the shelves, and prepare the shop for the week ahead. Items that cannot be sold aren’t wasted – instead, they’re passed along to a caring local in Leigh, who redistributes them to communities in need. In this way, nothing goes to waste, and kindness continues its ripple outward.

Every sale at the Matakana Op Shop tells a story: of generosity, reuse, and connection. What began as a humble church project has grown into a cornerstone of community life – a place where the spirit of giving, born in 1914, still thrives in every second-hand treasure and every helping hand. Last year alone, the shop distributed over $90,000 in funding to local community groups and charities.

The Matakana Op Shop is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–3pm, sometimes closing at 12pm on Thursdays.

Facebook: Matakana Anglican Op Shop | 09 425 8054