What we take (and what we can't)
We accept donations six days a week at our back door on Oxford Street. Here is what fills our shelves and what we have to say no to — because landfill is not a second chance.
Second Chance Op Shop
Volunteer-run since 2009. Every dollar funds the Horowhenua Community Food Bank.
See what we takeI have a car boot full of stuff. What do you actually want?
Great question. Here is what we love to see:
Clothing
Clean, wearable clothes for all ages. We sort by season and display straight away. Shoes in pairs, tied together please.
Books
Fiction, non-fiction, children's books, cookbooks. No encyclopaedias or magazines older than six months — they don't sell.
Household
Crockery, cutlery, pots, vases, picture frames, ornaments. Working small appliances with cords attached — toasters, kettles, irons.
Furniture
Small items only — bedside tables, dining chairs, bookshelves. Ring us first for anything bigger so we can check floor space: 06 368 0000.
Toys & games
Complete board games, puzzles with all pieces, soft toys in good shape, Lego. No ride-on toys or anything with missing batteries.
Manchester
Clean linen, towels, curtains, blankets. Anything with stains, mould or pet hair goes straight to landfill — please check first.
And what should I not bring?
We cannot accept:
- Mattresses and bases — fire regulations, no exceptions
- Car seats and bike helmets — safety standards expire
- Chemicals, paint, or cleaning products — hazardous goods
- Broken electronics — if it doesn't turn on, we can't sell it
- Clothing that is stained, torn or smells — we are a shop, not a bin
- Tyres, building materials, or anything that needs a trailer
Unsure? Text a photo to 027 368 0001 and we will tell you within the hour whether we can use it. Saves you the trip.
Where every dollar goes
Second Chance Op Shop is the sole funder of the Horowhenua Community Food Bank. We are not a franchise — every cent stays in Levin.
$127,400
raised for the food bank in 2025
3,180
food parcels distributed
42
active volunteers
6.2
tonnes diverted from landfill
The breakdown: 78% of revenue goes directly to the food bank. 14% covers rent and power at our Oxford Street premises. 5% goes to volunteer expenses (petrol vouchers, morning teas, safety gear). 3% covers insurance and compliance. We publish our full accounts with the Charities Commission every March.
Who runs the shop day to day?
Everyone is a volunteer. We have one paid coordinator — Jan Ngata — who does rostering, the books and the food bank orders. The rest of us sort, price, display and serve. Most mornings there are six of us on the floor and two out the back sorting donations.
Our longest-serving volunteer, Murray Kemp, has been here since 2011. He runs the Saturday book corner and knows every title we have ever stocked. Ask him for a recommendation — he keeps a handwritten list of his picks taped to the till.
Want to volunteer? We need people for the Tuesday afternoon shift (1–4pm) and Saturday mornings. No experience needed — Jan will show you the ropes on your first day. Email donate@secondchanceopshop.org.nz or just walk in.
In store this week
These are the standout items our sorters have just put out. Prices are in-store, cash or EFTPOS.
- Rimu bookshelfFour shelves, solid, Levin-made. $45
- Le Creuset casserole26 cm, flame orange, barely used. $38
- Kids' rain jackets (×8)Sizes 4–10, Kathmandu and Macpac. $6–$12 each
- Vinyl collection70s and 80s rock, 34 records. $2 each or $50 the lot
- Breville juice fountainWorking, with jug. $18
- Wool blankets (×3)Double-bed size, Onehunga brand. $15 each
- Pyrex mixing bowlsSet of four, nested, no chips. $12
- Men's dress shirtsBusiness shirts, L and XL, pressed. $4 each
Items are first-in-first-served. We cannot hold or ship. Pop in before Saturday — the good stuff goes fast.
What donors and shoppers say
"I cleared out Mum's house after she moved into care and Second Chance took everything in one morning. They even helped me unload. Three months later I found her china teapot on the shelf, priced at $5, and bought it back. Full circle."
"My kids' school uniforms come from here every February. Clean, pressed, half-price. The volunteers even sew on name tags if you ask nicely."
"I brought in three boxes of books and Murray — the Saturday book bloke — sorted them into genre piles before I had even finished unloading. He told me my taste in crime fiction was 'impeccable'. Made my week."
"We furnished our first flat entirely from Second Chance. Couch, table, four chairs, crockery, a set of towels and a coffee plunger. Total cost: $87. We have donated everything back since upgrading."
Opening hours & how to find us
Hours
| Day | Shop | Donations |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9 am – 4 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am – 4 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am – 4 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am – 4 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am – 4 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am – 2 pm | Back door 8:30 am – 1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed — no after-hours dumping please |
Closed on public holidays and between Christmas Eve and 3 January. If you leave donations outside when we are closed, we may have to send them to landfill — and that costs us money we would rather spend on food parcels.
Find us
- Address
- 47 Oxford Street, Levin 5510
(Between the TAB and the Salvation Army — look for the red awning) - Parking
- Free angle parking on Oxford Street. Four donation drop-off parks at the back, accessed from Bath Street.
- Public transport
- Capital Connection stops at Levin Railway Station, a 6-minute walk south on Oxford Street. The 200 bus stops on the corner of Queen and Oxford.
- Phone
- 06 368 0000
- donate@secondchanceopshop.org.nz
Frequently asked questions
Showing all 10 questions
Can I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. We are a registered charity (CC29841). Ask at the counter when you drop off and we will write you a receipt with an estimated value. For high-value items (over $500) we recommend getting an independent valuation first — IRD may ask for one.
Do you pick up large donations?
We can collect furniture and large loads within Levin and Horowhenua on Wednesdays if you book by Monday. Ring Jan on 06 368 0000 to arrange a time. We cannot collect from outside the district — fuel costs eat into the food bank fund.
How do I volunteer?
Walk in during opening hours and ask for Jan, or email donate@secondchanceopshop.org.nz. We ask for a minimum of one three-hour shift a week so we can roster reliably. You do not need retail experience — just a willingness to sort, price and chat to customers. We run a police vet for anyone handling cash.
Where exactly does the money go?
78% of revenue goes directly to the Horowhenua Community Food Bank. 14% covers rent and power. 5% goes to volunteer expenses. 3% covers insurance and compliance. Our full accounts are published on the Charities Commission register every March.
Do you sell online?
No. We tried a Trade Me page in 2022 but the postage costs and listing time were not worth it. Everything is in-store only, first-in-first-served. We post highlight items to our Facebook page on Wednesday mornings if you want a preview.
Can I leave donations after hours?
Please do not. Items left outside overnight get rained on, picked through, or damaged. We then have to pay to send them to landfill — money that should go to the food bank. If you cannot make it during opening hours, ring us and we will try to arrange a time.
Do you take electrical items?
Small appliances only — toasters, kettles, irons, hair dryers — and only if they work. We test everything on the bench before pricing. No TVs, computers, printers, or anything with a lithium battery (safety regulations).
Is there a changing room?
Yes, one curtained changing area at the back of the shop near the shoes. For hygiene reasons we do not accept returns on underwear, swimwear, or pierced earrings.
Can school groups visit?
We love it. We have hosted groups from Levin East School, Fairfield School, and Horowhenua College for behind-the-scenes tours and sorting sessions. Teachers, email Jan at least two weeks ahead. Max group size is 15 (fire regulations for the back room).
What happens to things that don't sell?
Clothing that does not sell after four weeks goes to Horowhenua Textile Recycling for rag or fibre reclaim. Books go to the Levin Public Library book sale. Hard goods are reduced to $1 on the Friday rack. We send less than 8% of donations to landfill — down from 22% when we started tracking in 2017.