Ōtautahi City Centre secondhand/thrifting locations
In need of some warmer layers now you’ve made it to Ōtautahi and not sure where to start? Here’s a list of some great second hand stores in the City Centre you could check out before buying new. Mostly located near great sight-seeing spots and awesome eateries/cafes.
Recycle Boutique– Generally second hand clothes, some designer/vintage.
- 248 High Street, City Centre.
- 9 min walk/650 metres from Te Pae Convention Centre.
- Head here if you’re in the Cashel shopping area, just past Cathedral Square.
- Open 10am – 5:30pm Mon-Wed, 10am – 6pm Thurs-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat-Sun.
- The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston.
- Not based in the City Centre, but located in an awesome heritage building if you have some time for sight seeing.
- Open 10am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat-Sun.
Curate by City Mission Op Shop – Curated second hand/designer collected from the various City Mission charity stores.
- 250 Barbadoes Street, City Centre.
- Just past the Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral.
- 17 min walk/1.2km from Te Pae Convention Centre.
- Open 8am – 4pm Mon-Fri, closed Sat-Sun.
Paper Bag Princess – Generally second hand clothes, some designer/vintage.
- 255 Saint Asaph Street, City Centre.
- 203a Waimairi Road, Ilam.
- Head here if you’re checking out/near the University of Canterbury’s Ilam campus.
- Open 10am – 5pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 3pm Sat, closed on Sun.
BooTeek – A wide range of second hand, designer and vintage.
- 266 Saint Asaph Street, City Centre.
- 18 min walk/1.3km from Te Pae Convention Centre.
- Across the road from Paper Bag Princess and Little High Eatery.
- Open 10am – 4pm Mon-Sat, 11am – 3pm Sun.
Nifty – Mainly designer/vintage clothing.
- 306 Cashel Street, City Centre (Fitzgerald Ave end).
- 20 min walk/1.4km from Te Pae Convention Centre.
- Head here if you want to check out a secondhand store with great character.
- Open 10am – 5:30pm Tues-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat, 11am – 4pm Sun, closed on Mon.
Shop local, shop sustainable
Keeping true to New Zealand's 'shop local, shop sustainable' culture, many New Zealand businesses value and are built on this environmental ethos. If you have a slightly bigger budget and are looking for some warmer layers, gifts to take home, or simply a treat for yourself, check out the following retailers within 10 minute walking distance of the Te Pae Convention Centre.
Untouched World
With its strong community and sustainability mindset, Untouched World is one of our more luxurious lifestyle brands. Founded and predominately produced in Ōtautahi, the company is famous for its Merino base layers, tops, knits, and sweaters. Untouched World prides itself on sustainable and transparent production; with fine merino excess used to make beanies for neonatal babies and remaining offcuts used in 'zero waste collections' (more information about this can be found here. Although it doesn’t have a store in the Christchurch CBD, Ballantynes - Christchurch's iconic department store - is a stockist.
Location: Ballantynes Department Store, Cashel Street, City Centre (650m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 9am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun.
Infinite Definite
Opened in 2008, Infinite Definite has been part of Christchurch’s clothing scene for a long time. Family owned and independent, the store stocks a variety of sustainably and ethically sourced clothes and homewares from local and overseas brands who share its values. More information about Infinite Definite can be found here and here.
Location: 246 High Street, City Centre (600m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 10am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat-Sun.
Macpac
From its humble beginnings in a Christchurch garage, Macpac is now one of New Zealand's largest adventure, travel, and lifestyle brands. Driven by its philosophy to provide products that are durable and long-lasting, the company is sustainability orientated. Among its other social responsibilities and climate pledges, Macpac uses Fairtrade and organic cotton, responsibly sourced down, and recycled fabrics/ Learn more here.
Location: Unit 6/692 Colombo Street, City Centre (550m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 9am – 6pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat-Sun.
Kathmandu
Another one of New Zealand's much loved outdoor brands, Kathmandu is B Corp certified. Akin to Macpac, it is also committed to using responsibly sourced down and wool and supports ethically produced cotton. More information about Kathmandu's 30 year history and environmental pledges can be found here and here.
Location: 673 Colombo Street, City Centre (600m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 9am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 5pm Sat-Sun.
Mons Royale
Founded in New Zealand in 2009, Mons Royale is a lifestyle and performance brand. Committed to supporting regenerative agriculture and sustainably sourced Merino wool, the company has also phased out 90% of plastic hang tags and accessories. More information can be found here.
Location: 118 Cashel Street, City Centre (600m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 9am – 5pm Mon-Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun.
Icebreaker
Arguably one of New Zealand's most well-known Merino brands, Icebreaker prides and challenges itself to become as sustainable as it can be. The company's emphasis on natural rather than synthetic products have helped it to eliminate 96.14% of plastics from its operation, with the aspiration of becoming plastic free in the near future. Nonetheless, 100% of the company's wool is traceable and sustainably sourced. Additional information on its pledges, including the benefits of Merino products, can be found here and here. Akin to Untouched World, there is no Icebreaker store in Christchurch's CBD. However, Ballantynes is a stockist of Icebreaker products.
Location: Ballantynes Department Store, Cashel Street, City Centre (650m from the Te Pae Convention Centre).
Hours: Open 9am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun.
