Volunteers the lifeblood of West Auckland Resource Centre
Nestled amongst the suburban streets of New Lynn, the West Auckland Resource Centre has been serving the community and keeping many thousands of tonnes of reusable items out of our landfill for the past 48 years.
It all started back in 1977, when a group of school principals volunteered their time and energy to make more teaching resources available for teachers. Almost 50 years on and the centre is still going strong – not only continuing to support the teachers of Tāmaki Makaurau, but opening their doors to anyone who wants to utilise the ‘one of a kind’ resources throughout the centre with a focus on the re-use, repurpose and recycle movement.
The centre’s day-to-day operations are run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, and is supported by a dedicated team of volunteer board members. When the centre is open to the public – every Wednesday from 12pm–2pm and Saturdays from 10am–1pm during the school term – their team of long-standing volunteers open the doors and greet customers as they come in. The experience is simple: grab a box, fill it with resources, pay a small donation, and take it home. It’s that easy.
On the days they aren’t open, their team of volunteers are busy playing to their strengths behind the scenes: tidying up the centre, and sorting through the copious quantities of donations received from local businesses, members of the community, local schools, and more.
Sarah Hamilton has been the Centre Co-ordinator since May, but has been involved as a volunteer for many years as a member of the board.
‘There’s nothing better than doing something that you love to do – and I love looking after the community, volunteers and living a sustainable lifestyle, not only through my personal life but also through my professional life,’ says Sarah.
‘A huge goal is to not only help the members of the public have a space for their reusable bits and bobs to go, but to also keep the resources out of landfill.’
Local businesses have become more aware of the environment and are a huge source of donations, giving leftover and surplus stock – like a local decorator who donates her excess upholstery, paper, cardboard, wallpaper and more.
From bubble wrap to books right through to vinyl, fabrics and cardboard – the West Auckland Resource centre appreciate all donations from far and wide. Whether you’re a local business with an overflow of cardboard or a local community member with copious quantities of buttons; the centre is your place to drop it off to.
Donations enable the centre to distribute resources that would’ve otherwise ended up in landfill. In the last year alone, the resource centre has saved over 20 tonnes of reusable waste from landfill – something that wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible work that the 24 long-standing volunteers contribute towards every year.
Kate Perkinson first came to the centre as a Nanny – scouring the treasure trove of junk that filled the walls of the resource centre, and was always coming back for more.
Later on, Kate became both a mother and a teacher and utilised the resources that were available to her within the centre like using shuttlecocks for painting, braille paper for textured art, and cardboard for many different projects. In 2024, Kate embraced her creative skills for Matariki using resources from the centre, which was not only a massive hit within her classroom but inspired other teachers to do the same.
What started out as Kate wanting resources, quickly turned into something more – being involved as a volunteer for more than 17 years (and still counting).
When Kate and her mother, Margaret Charles, are rostered on to volunteer at the centre, they set their alarms at 7.30am on Saturday morning to make sure they’re ready to open the doors by 10am – welcoming in the community members who have come from near and far to hunt for the resources they need.
‘Recognising familiar faces and having conversations with members of the community is a huge reason for my involvement,’ Kate says.
‘The resources here are one of a kind. You can’t go to an op shop and find a barrel full of bottle tops … not to mention the inspiration that I find by talking to customers that come in, alongside giving them my own ideas.’
Volunteers become a part of the WARC community and all share a common interest; they care about the environment and want to re-use, repurpose and recycle. Community members also find comfort within the centre as there is a sense of familiarity with the volunteers that are involved.
‘Getting reminders around your shifts from the volunteer coordinator makes you feel like you’re catching up for a coffee with a friend because you’re spending this time with people you know and have a common interest,’ says Kate.
‘Get involved. Get in touch. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our volunteers and there’s always something for someone.’
By Loredana Benni-Johnson
Volunteering Auckland volunteer writer
PICTURED: Sarah Hamilton and Kate Perkinson at the humble, but hugely impactful, West Auckland Resource Centre.
Interested in volunteering?
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at the West Auckland Resource Centre, you can get more information and apply [HERE] https://volunteeringauckland.org.nz/roles/5779/resource-centre-store-person)
