The Free Store Wellington Charitable Trust

  • 211 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand

The Free Store Wellington: Fighting Food Waste, Building Community

Join a vibrant, volunteer-driven movement that has been operating in the heart of Te Aro since November 2010We are currently going through a period of transition with a new independent volunteer-led charitable trust replacing the previous governance structure (Re-New Communities).

Our Mission: To rescue high-quality, surplus food (kai) daily from over 50 local cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Wellington's CBD, and redistribute it for free to anyone who needs it. We believe everyone deserves access to good food with dignity, without judgment or proof of need.

  • Established: Since 2010

  • What we do: Collect and redistribute fresh, cafe-grade surplus food.

  • Our Impact: We redistribute hundreds of thousands of food items each year, saving good food from landfill and supporting a diverse community—including students, families, those facing hardship, and the homeless.

  • Our Location: We operate from a distinctive, purpose-built converted shipping container store on Willis Street, in partnership with St Peter's Church.

  • The Vibe: We are more than just a food rescue service; we are a community space that fosters friendship, belonging, and connection among our recipients and volunteers.

Charity registration number CC63792