“We need to work to change things from above.”

Marita Sparrow grew up on a small dairy farm in New Zealand, the youngest of five. Her family had a culture of make do and mend and plenty of hand me downs. Her mother was a knitter and sewer. From as young as she can remember, Marita has loved secondhand shopping and as a student studying to be an occupational therapist in the late 80s it ramped up to clothing and furnishings. She spent eight years working in the UK and doing lots of travel.

Returning in the early 2000s, she furnished her house from opshops and garage sales.

In 2006 Marita took her love of secondhand clothing and opened a consignment store, operating it for 10 years. She took a break from clothing and continued her parttime job as a fitness instructor teaching Centergy and also began a retired pet Greyhound homestay and walking business with a friend, which she has had for seven years.

Three years ago, she joined the Arohanui Hospice Foundation as a part time manager in one of their four shops serving the charity. Marita always knew she'd end up working in a charity shop and she loves raising money for such a great cause.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS:

• Charity Shops and opshops in New Zealand.
• The mission of the Arohanui Hospice Foundation.
• Trends in thrifting.
• Sustainability: Be part of the solution, not the pollution.
• The beautiful donations she receives at Arohanui Hospice Foundation.
• Trade Me and other reselling platforms in New Zealand.
• The international language of thrift!