About Us
How we started
Clothe our kids – Waikato came about when we realised that we had a surplus of good, used children’s clothing that our own children had outgrown. Knowing that there are families in our community that struggle to provide their children with basics like clothing led us to the realisation that we could help.
We started in a spare room, which slowly filled with donated clothing and packs being distributed through midwives and the hospital. After an increase of enquiries through our Facebook page we became aware how extensive the need for this in our community really is.
With requests growing exponentially each week, we made the decision to distribute exclusively through agencies such as Family Start, Plunket and Parentline.
This has brought us to where we are today, averaging 50 children clothed per week.
Our Team
Nikki
Nikki is a busy mum of two boys Liam, 15 and Connor, 14.
Working fulltime from home for ANZ, this works well with her busy family including 3 Border Collies and 2 cats.
She loves to spend time with family, taking her dogs for walks and doing Reformer Pilates.
Nicole
A busy mum of three – Alyssa, 20, Regan, 17 and Braith, 14.
Nicole works part time at Little Split P and also takes care of her elderly dad who lives with her and her family.
Also an animal lover, Nicole has two dogs of her own as well as 3 cats.
Rachel
Meet our very first volunteer, who’s been part of our journey for over five incredible years. A devoted mum to two energetic little ones —Charlie (9) and Benny (7)—she somehow also finds time to run her own preloved kids’ store, Little Split P. Thanks to the support of her wonderful customers, she generously donates a portion of her sales to support Waikato charities—including us.
Maia
Maia has been volunteering weekly with Clothe Our Kids since 2020. She is a full time Mum to 3 children, George, Brooklyn and Franco. Her hobbies include sewing, gardening, trying new recipes and keeping active.
Jayme
Emily
Emily has been helping out Clothe our Kids for 9 years since she was in high school. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Management and works full time as a Business Events Planner, across 4 venues in Hamilton.
Karin
Karin lives in Cambridge with her husband Rodney, and is a mum to three married daughters and a Nana to three grandchildren. She is also a retired preschool teacher. In her spare time, Karin loves being creative, baking and gardening. She joined Clothe our Kids as a volunteer in 2024. Karin a is a huge help, she sorts the clothing, helps with packing packs, and also coordinates a group of ladies who sew the bags that the clothing is packed into. This upcycles duvets and sheets which charity shops can’t sell which saves them from landfill. A win for everyone.
Sarah
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide Waikato children in need with good quality second-hand clothing. By filling this need we can help ensure these children are clothed and warm while helping reduce the financial pressure on their parents.
Our Process
01.
Clothes are Collected
Donating clothes is a great way to help others in need. The Drop Off location is in Hamilton – accepting donations of clothing, shoes, and other items. The Drop Off location is Little Split P at 11 Liverpool Street.
02.
Packaging
Each pack will have 4-5 sets of clothing, 2 sets of pyjamas, 2 jumpers, a hat, socks and shoes. Depending on supply in winter we will add a jacket or dressing gown if available. We ensure all clothing that goes in packs is still in good condition and we work by the motto of “if I wouldn’t put it on my child, it won’t go in a pack”.
03.
Packs are distributed
Once our clothes have been packaged up our agencies collect them and then forward the packages onto families that are in need.