Context

In June 2025, a wonderful mover and shaker who has done a heap of volunteer work within the Manawatū community, Sonya Turk, contacted ENM to share concerns around the amount of clothing and textiles going into landfill and looking to collaborate with others to see what can be done.

This led to our first Hui in October 2025, inviting those interested in Textile Reuse and Repurposing to connect. We had around 68 people respond and 40 people participate, which included an online option allowing people from across Aotearoa to participate. The energy, interest and buzz was evident!

18 people participated in the February 2026 Textile Hui in the afternoon and 9 people in the evening. Passionate people who care, share ideas, collaborate and take action! There we worked with World Cafe style groups around different ideas/projects offered by passionate people exploring potential for action, connection and collaboration.

ENM now has 100 people registered with our Textile Reuse and Repurposing group.

The group hold hui's and host activities for people to share what they are doing or planning, what they need and what they can offer, create opportunities for connection, collaboration, learning and action. If you’re interested in receiving the updates and newsletters and want to be added onto the mailing list, please get in touch - circ.economy@enm.org.nz

What we do:

Whakawhanāungatanga: who is in the room, weave connections, collaborations and generate action. We also celebrate wins and good news stories and share resources.

What has emerged:

Textile Rescue is now a member of ENM and is described as a social enterprise working with businesses, charities and individuals to recycle textiles and connect that with waste reduction, redistribution and repurposing efforts that bring us closer to circularity. Watch out for their new website being launched soon at textilerescue.nz.

In the meantime, reach out to Sonya at through the Textile Rescue Facebook page: Textile Rescue | Palmerston North | Facebook

Participants are currently actively exploring the idea of a fabric and yarn op shop inspired by the Ragfinery model, which operates as a nonprofit textile reuse centre and retail/community space located in Bellingham, a similar sized city as Palmerston North. The idea is to create a space for people to donate high quality fabric and yarn for onselling and to offer mending and upcycling workshops. 

This idea led to passionate conversations around the creation and development of a Textile Recovery Hub which would be interconnected to other existing and potential textile reuse and repurposing activities as illustrated below:

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Textile Rescue hosting recycling clothing & connection activities - 15 June and 29 June

Hosted by Sonya of Textile Rescue, this group meets to remove the useful parts of non-usable clothing. 

What does this invitation offer:
- A connecting space with others who care about textiles going into landfill
- An opportunity to do recycling work: to take apart non-usable clothing and to separate out zips, buttons, drawstrings and items of value on clothing.
-When you participate in this recycling group, you can also bring your own non-usable clothing items
-Take home the resources you would like for your own upcycling and repair needs from what is taken apart

Textile Rescue then sees that the fabric remaining after the items of value are removed is recycled.

Dates and Times: 15 June and 29 June from 1-3pm

Venue for this group gathering: Environment Network Manawatū, 145 Cuba Street, Palmerston North (note 2 hours of free parking in the parking lot next to the China Town restaurant - the 12 parking spaces closest to ENM)

Please note: ENM is NOT a drop off point for clothing recycling. These events are for people interested in being part of a group activity that works on recycling clothing items.

For all queries, please contact Sonya directly via: 
Email: sonya@textilerescue.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Textile-Rescue/61579364287695/

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Ideas and resources from our members

• The op shop in Shannon has hugely reduced their textiles going to landfill, partly by their purchase of a rag cutter, along with gifting items not used to other op shops and having cheap sales (fill a bag for $1) Well done!
• Remakery in Lower Hutt: a fun fabric and sewing supplies market where you can shop for vintage and modern sewing and upholstery fabric, patterns, haberdashery and more. It brings the sewing community together to share stashes, stories, and delight in our mutual love of textiles. All profits to local hospice Sew Good Collective — Common Unity
• Fabric-a-brac offer a fun fabric and sewing supplies market where you can shop for vintage and modern sewing and upholstery fabric, patterns, haberdashery and more. It brings the sewing community together to share stashes, stories, and delight in our mutual love of textiles. All profits to local hospice Palmerston North – Fabric-a-brac
• Red Cross Curtain bank on Main Street Palmerston North donate curtains Get warm curtains | New Zealand Red Cross
• Ngā Ringa Maha Collective: make blankets, quilts, clothes, pyjamas from donated or second-hand materials Nga Ringa Maha Collective | Facebook
• Upcycled Refashion Rebels: Upcycled Sewing Rebels who offer online peer support from fellow crafters, creative inspiration, and freelance/side hustle development.

Challenges: inviting ideas 

• Shoe repair and recycling: the local Manawatū cobblers are celebrated and there is keenness for these valuable artisanal skills to be retained in the region. What can be done for these skills to be learnt and championed?