Charitable Reuse Aotearoa Chair, Gareth Marshall, Talks Launch Event and Aotearoa Op Shop Culture
On July 28th 2026, Charitable Reuse Aotearoa members, stakeholders and government representatives gathered at Parliament Buildings in Wellington to officially launch Charitable Reuse Aotearoa, marking an exciting new chapter for the charitable reuse sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. The evening brought together leaders and advocates from across the sector for an inspiring night of insights, connection and collaboration.
Since the official launch, excitement and collaboration continues to grow, bringing the New Zealand op shop sector together and strengthening its role in the circular economy. New members and partners are coming on board, and the Charitable Reuse Aotearoa Committee are meeting regularly to discuss plans and growth opportunities as we enter this new chapter.
We spoke to the Chair of the Charitable Reuse Aotearoa Committee, Gareth Marshall, about his experience in the sector, and the relationship between New Zealanders and the culture of charitable reuse and op shopping.
Gareth has dedicated over 34 years to working within The Salvation Army’s charity store sector. Renowned for his visionary leadership, he has played a pivotal role in the development and growth of both the stores and the people who serve them, including employees and volunteers, across Aotearoa New Zealand.
CRA: How long have you worked in the Charitable Reuse sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, and can you give a bit of background on your experience?
GM: I first started working in the sector back in 1992. While I have had a couple of short ‘sabbaticals’ in the early 2000’s have been back working for Salvo’s since 2008. Over this time, I have forged a career pathway within our store network advocating for improvement and improved mission and financial outcomes through recognizing the uniqueness of our sector. I have been in my current role as Territorial Director since 2017.
CRA: What are you most excited about with the recent launch of Charitable Reuse Aotearoa?
GM: The bringing together of our sector to better understand our strength, size and impact that, as a whole, contribute to communities around Aotearoa. Through this significant impact, we as a collective have a powerful advocacy ability for policy changes that will bring greater impact both to individuals, communities and the environment.
CRA: How do you envision Charitable Reuse Aotearoa will bring the Aotearoa op shop sector together?
It has been amazing and encouraging at how eagerly the sector has embraced and joined Charitable Reuse Aotearoa. It has been a great privilege to be one of the founding members and to see the passion, drive, and amazing competency around the table. We have a motivated diverse committee keen to bring connection and networking opportunities, leaning into what has been successful in Australia but adding our Kiwi uniqueness.
CRA: From your perspective and experience, what is the relationship between New Zealanders and the culture of charitable reuse and op shopping?
From having been involved in the sector for as long as I have, it always amuses me when I have media queries around how trendy op shopping is becoming, as this has been a constant media statement since I started in the 90’s. Op shops are in almost every community, be it a city or small town and because we are more than just a retail store, and a daily visit is more relational than just the transaction at the POS, they are just not in the community but an integral part of the fabric of the communities that they serve attracting every demographic of society. As our common Māori proverb in Aotearoa “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!” – The most important thing in the world is people, it is people, it is people.” This is why we have such a connection with our communities, it’s the people whether donor or customer that is important and that is why I continue to serve in this sector, because it provides people an opportunity to bring change and transformation to people and through this changes and transform us.
Read more about Charitable Reuse Aotearoa here, and be a part of this exciting movement.