A new car boot market is set to launch in Pāpāmoa this Saturday.

This exciting event, which starts at 8am to 12pm at St Paul’s car park, located at 242 Dickson Rd, aims to support the local community, with each car park space available for just $10. Space is limited, so need to be pre-booked.

In addition to the car boot sale, the market will feature a variety of activities and stalls, including a bake sale with both hot and cold drinks, a barbecue with a sausage sizzle, and a selection of seeds and plants for purchase.

There will also be a children’s movie screening to entertain the little ones while their parents sell or browse.

The market is a collaborative effort between Kai Aroha, led by Tania Lewis-Rickard, and St Paul’s Co-Operating Church, represented by Reverend Philipp Potgieter.

Both organisations are coming together to raise funds and strengthen their community support initiatives.

The fresh produce from the Koiri Garden saves up to $60 a week for the free community meals at St Paul's. Photo: Supplied.

In April, the two organisations launched the Koiri Garden - a community garden to help feed and support the local community while also supporting Kai Aroha’s free community meals held every Monday and Thursday nights at St Paul’s Church.

The car boot market is designed not only to generate income but also to enhance the relationship between Kai Aroha and St Paul’s.

Tania Lewis-Rickard said the idea for the market emerged from discussions between Kai Aroha’s Emma Cole and Philipp.

“We’ve always wanted to do some kind of fundraiser, as we can’t rely solely on donations,” she said. “We’re really excited about this event. It will deepen the partnership between our organizations and help us fundraise together.”

Tania said the other reason to launch the car boot market is to help the community move forward out of poverty.

“Poverty can come in any form – financially, mentally, physically.

“In this case it’s to help our community to help itself. We’re providing the opportunity for them to sell stuff that they’ve got in their cars or homes or wherever they live. We make $10 from each which is $300 for 30 carparks, and whatever they make from their car boot sale between the hours of 8am and 12pm all belongs to them.”

There will also be a koha (donation-based) tea and coffee stand, creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.

Preparing plants and seedlings for sale at the Koiri Garden in Pāpāmoa. Photo: Supplied.

Tania said they need to be able to generate funds for Kai Aroha from the Koiri Garden when they can.

“We appreciate donations from people, but we need to keep income coming in. We are saving $50-60 a week because we are using the vegetables from the garden for the meals.

“With all the great mahi that Emma and her team have been doing with the garden, that not only helps provide fresh produce for Kai Aroha meals every week, but it also enables us to sell some plants and seeds to the community, contributing to the sustainability of our operations.

“We had a look at what resources we can utilise at St Paul’s – we have about 30 carparks,” said Tania.

“We thought that would be a way to draw income and serve our collective vision and together raise some funds to help with our organisation in terms of operation costs, and seeds for the garden.

The Pāpāmoa Car Boot Market is being held from 8am – 12pm, Saturday, September 7, at St Paul’s carpark, 242 Dickson Rd, Pāpāmoa. Limited spaces are available, so call 020 4010 7364 to book your space.