After a winter hiatus, Tauranga Curtain Bank is operating in a new location at Pāpāmoa.

Run by the Red Cross Tauranga Branch, the vital community service was recently relocated to a new space in Pāpāmoa, where it will continue providing warm curtains to vulnerable Western Bay of Plenty households.

The curtain bank was at the Hillier Centre in Mount Maunganui, which wound up earlier this year after the property was sold.

The New Zealand Red Cross Tauranga branch president Rick Hopcroft told The Weekend Sun the bank’s team of volunteers were really pleased with the new location.

“The curtain bank has some specific space requirements,” said Hopcroft.

“It needs to be large enough for shelving to store lots of bulky curtains and have adequate floor space for tables where our volunteers work on large pieces of curtain fabric. This new location meets those needs.”

Curtains play a key role in home insulation, especially for those who struggle with heating costs in winter, Hopcroft said.

“Installing good curtains is one of the simplest ways to make a home warmer. This helps people maintain their health and wellbeing and keep winter energy costs down.”

The Tauranga Curtain Bank operates on a referral basis, working with community partners such as Sustainability Options, Tauranga Community Housing Trust, and Ngā Kakano Foundation, to identify those most in need. Individuals with Community Services Cards can also enquire directly via email about self-referral.

Ann Letheren volunteering at Tauranga Curtain Bank. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Hopcroft said that for many families, investing in quality curtains isn’t always possible.

“Our curtain bank helps individuals and families who might struggle to purchase warm curtains,” he said.

Between July 2024 and June 2025, the curtain bank worked on more than 2000 curtains, all thanks to a small but dedicated team of Red Cross volunteers.

“These volunteers generously donate their time and skills,” said Hopcroft.

“They receive and carefully check donated curtains to make sure they are suitable for reuse. They then mend, re-line or upcycle these curtains as needed, and pack and supply these to households.”

The curtain bank relies heavily on donations from the public and local businesses, said Hopcroft.

Donations of clean, mould-free curtains – especially thermal-lined or quality unlined ones – are welcome.

However, the bank cannot accept roman blinds, net curtains, or curtain tracks, Hopcroft said.

Donated curtains can be dropped off at the Red Cross Western Bay of Plenty Service Centre at 245 Chadwick Rd in Greerton, the Greerton Red Cross Shop, or the Mount Maunganui Red Cross Shop.

Those interested in donating can also reach out via email at: midland.area@redcross.org.nz or call 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 27677).

The service is always looking for more volunteers, said Hopcroft. Those who are interested can apply through the Red Cross website at: www.redcross.org.nz/volunteer. Volunteers meet Mondays to work on curtain transformations.