One of the joys in helping customers reclaim their spaces is the moment when something long-lost or forgotten suddenly reappears. The delight on a client’s face when they find that missing item is priceless, especially after so much past frustration and searching.
When I’m organising, nothing is left unchecked — even recently “tidied” corners, the bottoms of boxes, piles of paperwork, or those mysterious bags of mixed contents. It’s always rewarding to share in the surprise and relief that comes with rediscovering what was hidden away.
As I work through cupboards, wardrobes, sideboards, and shelves, there’s usually a growing pile of items that clients decide they no longer need. I sort these as I go — setting aside what can be donated, repaired, recycled (paper, cardboard, soft plastics), or, only as a last resort, sent to landfill. Every item gets a thoughtful new direction. And that is just about to be made a little easier.
 

RESOURCE COLLECTIVE
Opening Tuesday 18 November 2025, the Resource Collective Hub in Omokoroa.  It is  designed to give preloved items a second life — raising funds for the Chrome Collective Charitable Trust while supporting environmental responsibility and local wellbeing.
The Omokoroa hub builds on the success of their centre in Katikati, blending community care with sustainability, and offering people a renewed sense of purpose.
Here, you’ll be able to drop off items you no longer need — things that still have value and usefulness. What’s been gathering dust in your cupboard could soon be serving someone else.
 
How to Use the New Omokoroa Hub
Just like donating to The Centre op shop, your items  should be clean and functional (unless you’re bringing e-waste).
Before dropping off:

• Wipe down surfaces, inside and out.
• Remove lint or dust from vacuums or appliances.
• Bundle accessories (like remote controls, cables or manuals) together. Attaching them to the main electronic appliance.

To make your drop-off smooth and efficient, sort items into categories before you arrive in the RESOURCE COLLECTIVE car park:

• ⚙️ Cables and electronics
• 🧰 Tools
• 🔋 Batteries
• 🏠 Household items (kept separate from the next category)
• 🌿 Outdoor gear

Arriving with items grouped and packed in sturdy containers (no soggy cardboard or split boxes please) makes assessment much faster — and helps prevent damage to your item.
Not all e-waste needs to be working, but whiteware should be in working condition. Minimal handling charges may apply -  see details here.
 
An Inclusive Community Space
The Omokoroa Resource Collective is a new service space — not yet purpose-built, but full of opportunity for our community. It’s a place where everyone is welcome, and where people of all abilities can contribute.
You may be greeted or assisted by volunteers with a wide range of skills and backgrounds. Patience and openness help make this shared space thrive as we all learn and grow together.
 
Resources Closer to Home
The Hub will also feature a secondhand store, giving locals the chance to shop sustainably without travelling into town.
Expect to see:

• Furniture and homeware
• Tools and garden equipment
• Toys, books, and sports gear
• Bicycles, lawnmowers, and even plants

It’s another small step towards keeping resources circulating within our community.
 
Get Involved: Volunteer with Purpose
The Resource Collective is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference. This is a space where everyone can contribute time and energy towards something meaningful.
Volunteer roles are designed to empower, helping people build confidence, gain practical skills, and feel connected to the rhythm of everyday working life.
If you’ve been looking for a way to give back or connect with others, this could be just the opportunity. Get in contact via email with a little about yourself – [email protected]   or sign up here
 
The Organisers 
As I help new clients at The Organisers declutter, the Resource Collective will offer a wonderful next step for good-quality items to find new life.
It’s exciting to see Omokoroa is getting more chances to build on what we do well in this community care for others and our environment.  Together, we’re not just clearing space I think we could be creating room for the better.

Contact me, Veronica on 021 578 840, if you’d like help sorting items ready for donation.

1️⃣ Plan Ahead

• Pick a date and time
• Choose a weekend with good weather.
• Saturdays between 8 am – 12 pm are ideal.
• Avoid long weekends when people are likely away.
• Get signs ready to advertise – before and on the day itself

2️⃣ Gather and Sort Items
Declutter room by room — kitchen, wardrobes, shed, garage.
Ask yourself:  Have I used this in the last year?  Would I buy this again?
 
Group into categories:
✅ Household & kitchenware
✅ Toys & kids’ items
✅ Books, games
✅ Tools & garden gear
✅ Clothing & accessories
✅ Sports
 
Keep a “free” or “bargain box” for low-value items — people love a rummage!


3️⃣ Price Everything Clearly
Use coloured price dots or stickers — easy to see at a glance.

Typical pricing guide:
  Small items: 50c – $2
  Clothing: $2 – $10
  Homeware & tools: $5 – $20
  Furniture: $10 – $50+

Tip: Round prices to the nearest dollar — it saves time and coins.

Bundle deals: e.g. “3 for $5” or “fill a bag for $10” to move volume.
 
Not everybody likes to ask prices and looking around the pricing you are asking for will help people understand your expectations.
 

4️⃣ Advertise Well
Use multiple channels:

• Facebook local community pages
• Local noticeboards or newsletters
• Eye-catching roadside signs (large, simple, and legible)
• Tell friends and neighbours — word of mouth works best!
• If you are in Omokoroa list  the sale on www.Cyberlink.nz

Include:

• Date & time
• Address
• Highlight key items (e.g. “tools, toys, furniture, collectibles”)
• A few photos

5️⃣ Set Up Smartly

• Display items on tables, shelves, or boxes so they’re easy to browse.
• Group similar things together.
• Keep power cords handy if selling electronics (so buyers can test them).
• Play some background music — it creates a friendly vibe.
• Place balloons, bunting or flags to draw attention to your Sale on the day

6️⃣ Be Ready for Buyers

• Have plenty of change (coins and $5 notes).
• A money belt or apron is great for looking after the cash.
• Consider offering payment by online transfer for larger value items. Have your account number to hand on a poster, so people can see you have that option.
• Smile and chat — friendly sellers make for a more enjoyable experience all round
• People love to negotiate and grab a bargain, so its good to think in advance if you are willing to take offers.

7️⃣ After the Sale
Check out this advice, should you or shouldn’t you donate it?  If it didn’t sell, that could be because others do not want it either.  Think carefully before passing on your problem to a nonprofit. This youtube link shares Top 3 items that can cause issue for charities (in the USA but here in NZ too) when the charity has to pay to send to landfill because they are not good enough to be sold.       

1. Donations:  if desirable and good quality.   Donations can go to : Waipuna Hospice in Frase Cove (Mon - Fri 9:00-16:00)
2. Recycling: If it didn’t sell & come to the end of its life in that form. Break it down for recycling into various materials and most can be recycled  via your household kerbside bin. 
3. Plastics clean, remove any small lids and place into landfill (# 1, 2 & 5)
4. Paper & Cardboard - flattened corrugated cardboard, paper including light card, magazines, newspapers and egg cartons. (not contaminated card with food waste e.g. – pizza boxes)
5. Aluminium Cans
6. Glass cleaned  and into the blue bin and lids removed to landfill
7. Soft plastic:  clean, dry and empty. Closest to Omokoroa is Woolworths in Bethlehem.
8. Polystyrene - Can be returned to Mitre 10 Tauranga, as you enter the trade area outside, on the first corner there is a collection pen area
9. Landfill – break up and place into red kerbside collections bin

 

• Return borrowed tables and take down signs.

 

• Then sit back, enjoy the extra space (and a few extra dollars), and feel great about doing something positive for both your home and the environment.

💰 Quick Checklist
 
✅ Pick date & check weather
✅ Sort, clean, and price items
✅ Advertise online & locally
✅ Prepare float & signage
✅ Create a friendly, tidy setup
✅ If good quality, consider donating left over items (but think twice about the clothes, old electrical and books)

Spring is the classic time to take action on your home.  There's activity all around us in the community as people and businesses plan for the big summer break.  In New Zealand we have the double whammy of public holidays - Christmas & New Year combined with the summer months.  People are focused on getting their homes ready, potentially with the influx of family and friends coming to stay.  Houses go up for sale and everyone's energy levels are up. 

This year Omokoroa’s Cyberlink is again planning its Community Wide Garage Sale on Saturday 18th October. Last year 26 houses took part and advertising of the event brings many people in from around the district. Run over 7 times, it's been a very successful event for sellers and buyers alike.  For some treasure hunters they know Omokoroa delivers quality items at great prices. For many its a great day out with the family, or collectors looking to add something interesting to their collection.  People manifesting certain items or a particular piece of furniture.

There are lots of benefits to joining in and having a Garage Sale

Declutter and create space to breathe again. By letting go of items that are not serving you, you can create space in your home. You could start to create a space that will enhance how you would like to spend your time. You could actually make that junk room a sewing studio!

Earn some extra money - let someone else see the treasure in your ‘old vase’ or the inherited collection of thimbles. It might just be a novel experience to see and use physical money for once! An opportunity for the young ones to sell their toys or grow seedlings, certainly the young entrepreneurs can gain a bit of success and handle a few gold coins.

Help the planet: Great you have decided  that corrugated iron  is no longer needed - but instead of sending it to landfill it could just be the small piece someone needs to complete their project.  Much better to get a product used as intended- rather than go to metal recycling or landfill.

Realise the true value, an object’s utility:
Chairs are supposed to be sat on, candles are meant to give light, if you are just storing something for a future ‘one day’ we prevent these items reaching their purpose & potential.  Why not take out the spare microwave which is only gathering dust and pass it on to someone who could truly do with heating some food right now.  Bingo - with that you have restored the item's true value. 

Connect with the Community:   Omokoroa’s Garage Sales historically have been wonderfully social occasions. Its an easy to connect with your surrounding neighbours as well as those new to the community.  There an oppourtunity to chat hear someones story and enrich your day.

It's only a $10 donation, you get a sign and your road is highlighted on the map. Go to https://www.cyberlink.nz/garage-sales.html to learn more and start clearing out those cupboards today. 

Or need help? I'm Veronica at The Organisers and I have had the pleasure of helping many in the community to start tackling the overwhelm they feel of their possessions.  You can find out more  by looking  here at www.TheOrganisers.co.nz or give me a call on 021 578 840

​

"Away"
Once we have decided to release an item it’s the ‘away’ that can bother us. In fact, it can be the block to letting go of it. I bought this, it was the answer and now it’s no longer the answer; its broken; given to me by family; too small; too big; didn’t work; gathering dust. The list goes on.
What can we do about the “away” part?

Charity & opportunity shopping
Sending an item on to be reused or re-discovered as someone else’s treasure is the best way to release stuff we no longer need. Being mindful that the item is in a good condition to donate. It should be clean and functioning and, if it’s a small shop, ideally for the correct season.

Here in Omokoroa we have a fantastic opportunity shop called The Omokoroa Centre Trust. All the profits made, go to support local projects by way of a grant that can be applied for in April of each year. It’s a fantastic model that sees the energies of the volunteers, go back into supporting their local community.

Waipuna Hospice is also a well-loved charity in the Tauranga region with charity shops dotted around the area, with an easy to donate location in Fraser cove.

Other places that can benefit from your items:
- Local Kindergarten for craft supplies.
- Local Men’s Shed for no longer needed wood.

Selling – sometime letting go can be easier when you consider selling the item to people who would value it like you. Recouping some cash can be an added bonus. Trade me, Facebook marketplace, Designer wardrobe & Recycle Boutique Mount Maunganui are all good ways to gain a little moneyback. Although unless this is a large or valuable item its often more hassle than just setting the item free via donation.

Recycling - has the item come to its end of life in that form?  If broken down to their composite materials items can be placed into the recycling via household kerbside bins in the Bay of Plenty:

• Plastics clean, remove any small lids and place into landfill (# 1, 2 & 5)
• Paper & Cardboard - flattened corrugated cardboard, paper including light card, magazines, newspapers and egg cartons. (not contaminated card with food waste e.g. – pizza boxes)
• Aluminium Cans
• Glass cleaned and lids removed to landfill
• Metal recycled via local companies in Mount Maunganui
• Soft plastic – lots of grocery stores enable you to recycle the abundance of soft plastics we have in packaging of our food. Again, just make sure it’s clean, dry and empty. Closest to Omokoroa is Woolworths in Bethlehem
• Polystyrene - Can be returned to Mitre 10 Tauranga, as you enter the trade area outside on the first corner there is a collection area

FREE kerbside collection. One of the best ways we move items on is to have a permanent outdoor sign made from a tile off cut.  Written on it is the word FREE.  On non-rainy days we can place no longer wanted items by the kerbside along with the sign and they will disappear quickly.  It really does bring some joy to know our thing has gone on to enjoy a new life with someone else. 

Last resort is the landfill bin. Placing resources into a big pit where they will be inert and survive for millions of years is crazy stuff. Locally our landfill goes to Hampton Downs which is the largest landfill in the southern hemisphere. To give you an idea of the scale its about 80+ rugby pitches in size.
 
And that brings me onto another blog idea…. What if we started to ask, BEFORE we purchase or accept an item. Do I really need this? Maybe I can borrow this item from a friend, create connection and acknowledge a shared interest or hobby. Can I just hire it for a short while? Access rather than ownership. A topic for another blog moment.