Shop Zero – A Local Resource for Flood Affected People

Dec 2, 2021 | Community, News, Partnerships, Wellbeing

Shop Zero is a collaborative effort of superstars in our Kawatiri hapori/community!

Social enterprise Nuku, along with the support of Rotary and local store owner and operator Samantha File of The Pink Door, set up Shop Zero as a resource for flood affected residents to refurnish their homes as the Westport 17th July flood event robbed many people of their household contents. 

The building opposite the fire station on Palmerston Street was acquired by Rotary, and with their help came ‘The Great Merge’, where everything moved to what we know now as Shop Zero which is managed by Mikaere and his ropu/group Nuku. Samantha File’s vintage designer and antique store – Pink Door recently opened a few doors down from Shop Zero.

In response to the flood event, Mikaere Clarkson Steele and Samara File began collecting donations from people in hapori whānui/wider communities, and storing them at the Nuku building. Samara has also used her commercial building space to receive and store donations.

With the donations received, Nuku put together care packages for flood affected whanau, including packages for our tamariki/young children containing some comfort items such as snuggle bears and books. People would call in with a list of their needs and Nuku along with several volunteer groups provided items that were needed. Many different volunteer groups in our community have graciously given their time, helping to sort and distribute stock.

Just last weekend Rotarians from Nelson, Richmond and Westport came together for ‘The Great Sort’. Shelving was donated and installed, making Shop Zero easier and safer to navigate. The store remains open by prior arrangement to meet someone from the team at Nuku there and encourages people to come have a kōrero if they need to. The Nuku team are available to connect via phone, email and Facebook.

Nuku is a social enterprise, founded and managed by Mikaere Clarkson Steele. It it about community wellbeing with an added Māori lens attached. Focusing on hauora and whanau. The vision for Nuku was to create a space for youth and whanau. To educate what hauora/wellbeing is, and looking after your hauora . Mikaere has successfully pulled off amazing events for our rangatahi and Shop Zero is just an extension of his care for our hapori/community.

Volunteer groups and organisations who have offered support and donations: