OP Shopping in Howick

Distance: 
Within 5 kms radius of Howick

Approximate time: 3 Hours

Date: 05/01/2020

Author: Annette Smart

Op Shopping has become a great way to help preserve the environment, assist charities as well as saving yourself some money.  There is a great selection of op shops close to Howick.  

With a ladies weekend away planned in Napier I am specifically looking for clothes and accessories that reflect the Art Deco period. Living locally I restrict my search to local op shops close by.

Starting in Ben Lomond Crescent is the Eastgate Christian Centre Op Shop.  They have a large selection of clothing and furniture.  It takes time to look through the stock, and I find a couple of items that are fantastic.  I pop into the St Andrews Howick Presbyterian Church Op Shop in Vincent Street.  Before heading into Howick itself I carry on down Vincent Street, left into Moore then right into the car park so I can visit the St Johns Op Shop.  This is one of my regular stops when I have time to browse.  Heading up to Howick Village my first stop is the SPCA Op Shop in Cook Street.  In the centre of the Village is Rices Mall and here you find the Salvation Army Op Shop, the Hospice Shop and the Rest Assured Charity Shop.  Loose Threads, for designer labels and some new items, found at Picton Street, and over the years has been the soure of many items in my wardrobe.

I find some great clothes that fit my Art Deco period, as well as a couple of others that I just couldn’t resist.  It has been a very successful morning, so I will keep visiting other Op Shops for another day because they are a bit further away.  

Op Shopping is thirsty work and I’m ready for a quick bite before heading home, so will pop into the Uxbridge Café.

Where to find the Op shops listed above : 

Eastgate Christian Centre Op Shop 5 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga, Auckland  +64 09 576 1500

St Andrews Howick Presbyterian Church Op Shop, 11 Vincent Street, Cnr Ridge Rd, Howick, Auckland 10am-2pm Tues to Frid 10am–12pm Sat

St Johns Op Shop 7/219 Moore Street, Howick, Auckland 2014 Weekdays 9am-4pm Weekends 10am-4pm

SPCA Op Shop 6/15 Cook Street, Howick, Auckland 2014 9.30-4.30 Mon-Fri Sat 9.30-3.30 Closed Sun

Rices Mall is home to Salvation Army, Hospice and Rest Assurred Op Shops 65 Picton St Howick 2014

Loose Threads 55 Picton St 10am-5pm Mon-Fri Sat 10am-2pm Sun Closed

Our Tip: 

With plenty of places to choose from stop in Howick for something to eat and drink – and enjoy the ambience of this quaint village.  When in Rices Mall have a look at the photographs on display of early Howick.  Enjoy the view either from All Saints Church or Stockade Hill – it is spectacular.

Things to do nearby:

Getting away from the Op Shopping on the corner of Ben Lomond Crescent, Cascades Trading Post is a quaint shop with some great gift items, lovely linen clothing, cushions, and lot more.  I love popping in here to have a quick peek at the latest stock.  The Howick Historical Village Café is a great place to stop for a refreshing cuppa before hitting the next op shop.  If you have the time go into the Historical Village – this is the region’s premier visitor destination, and is a wonderful local gem – there is a gift shop too.  NZ Knit/Mountain Country factory shop is in Vincent Street.  Their high quality merino/possum knitwear is fantastic.  Take a walk around the cemetery of All Saints Church, the oldest church in Manukau and built for the Fencibles who arrived 1850s.  While in Howick take a walk up to Stockade Hill and savour the spectacular view.  Walk or drive down to Howick Beach.