Impact

“Common’s commitment to providing quality, choice-driven clothing to whānau in need has made a real difference in the lives of the young people and families we support giving them dignity, confidence, and practical support when it matters most. Their partnership with us strengthened our ability to walk alongside rangatahi not just with words, but with meaningful, everyday essentials that truly matter.”

"Our collaboration with Common strengthened the support we could provide to our Whaiora. This partnership also saved considerable time and effort for both our employment consultants and whaiora, allowing us to focus more fully on employment skills and preparation rather than searching for alternative clothing options. This clothing gifted played a meaningful role in building their confidence to step into interviews and work opportunities."

“One family of eleven who received clothing and shoes, were so grateful for the kind gesture as this gave the three youngest the opportunity to wear their new clothes and shoes to school, which supported their attendance and motivation to learn.”

“It was easy to work with Common to support our young mothers. We accessed support for Mother’s Day celebrations, for a young mum experiencing partner violence, and again towards the end of the year with a beautiful lingerie collection. We were able to provide our young mums with high-quality clothing and essentials that put a smile on their faces.”

“Without Common our hauora rōpū don’t have the right shoes to wear while out walking to increase their fitness. 2025 we were lucky to be connected to Charli and a quick relationship grown from there.”

“The whanau we support were blown away with the quality of the clothing they received which enabled them to feel a sense of pride in self and the confidence needed to ace their job interviews.”

“Without Common, many of the individuals and families we support would have gone without access to high-quality, appropriate clothing during times of real financial hardship. We often relied on Common to fill significant gaps, particularly for older children’s clothing, and we are already noticing the impact of this absence through empty tubs and reduced options. This has added further stress to already challenging situations and limited people’s ability to participate confidently in daily life, including work, education, and community engagement.”

"There is nothing out there like Common providing free clothing for all ages and gender on request. A lot of people in need will continue to make do or go without. Many of our whānau share clothes and shoes. Mums put themselves last so their kids have things."

“Without the support provided through Common, many whānau would have been without essential items such as pyjamas, coats, shoes, and warm clothing, leading to significant hardship.”

Since 2020, when operating as Koha Apparel (Common from 2024), the organisation has played a significant role in supporting our wāhine at Te Tapui Atawhai - Auckland City Mission.

Across five years of partnership, Common has been present at our Homeless Days, providing access to clothing including essential undergarments for some of our most vulnerable communities.

At our Mana wāhine dinners, Koha Apparel’s involvement was always a highlight. The ability to access sustainably sourced clothing meant many women could receive high-quality garments they would not otherwise have access to.

The volunteers who supported our wāhine, matching items to create complete outfits, added to the experience with the notion that all women deserve to look great. Quality can help the unseen to be seen and the undervalued feel worthy.

With Common’s service, the feeling of worth increased, the smiles providing a physical testament and value on a service that is going to be greatly missed.

"Working with Common has allowed Wellington Women’s House to offer women access to high-quality clothing and underwear, helping restore confidence and dignity during challenging times. As a provider of safe, temporary accommodation for women experiencing homelessness in Wellington, these practical supports make a meaningful difference to women as they rebuild stability in their lives."

"It has been a pleasure working alongside your organisation. Our experience has been great as you have helped clothe families in our community who would were not able to afford warm winter clothing this year and struggling families who would have just gone without. We have been very grateful to be a recipient of your organisation and have been blessed especially as this has been a difficult year for many families."

"Two hapu mama were fortunate to receive a care package from Common for clothing for themselves and items of clothing for their unborn babies."

“There are no other organisations that provide this type of service. We appreciate the support from Common. Our experience of working with Common has been an easy experience without fuss or any hold ups. The response to our requests were efficient, expedient, and without hesitation.”

“As a Pasifika service, it is often difficult to source plus-size clothing, and partnering with Common enabled us to provide these items in large quantities, helping to ease financial stress for many families.”

“Common has been such a boon for our organisation. Having a dedicated service to sourcing free and quality clothing has uplifted so many of our young people. 

Common has helped RainbowYOUTH stay more efficient and productive in our support services and everyone at the organisation are sorry to see them go. 

The dedication that Charli and Tracey have put into this mahi will be dearly missed, but we thank them for their long-standing support and celebrate all the wonderful things they did achieve.”

"The Asylum Seeker Support Trust (ASST) has gratefully received clothing support from Common. Our clients were happy and amazed to receive good quality, both recycled and new clothing. Without Common clothing support ASST would not have been able to clothe our clients warmly. We really appreciated the variety of clothing Common provided so our clients could choose what they wanted."

"We want to acknowledge the significant value your organisation brings to the tāne we work with, many of whom arrive with limited resources and face considerable barriers as they move toward reintegration. Your support goes far beyond providing clothing; it restores dignity, strengthens confidence, and enables meaningful engagement in rehabilitation and community-based activities. 

The positive effects extend to their whānau, who experience reduced financial strain and greater hope  in their loved one’s journey, and to the wider community, where your kaupapa helps create safer, more equitable pathways for people returning home across Aotearoa."

“Without the shoes and clothing provided by Common, many of the people presenting at the Auckland District Court would have left as they arrived — barefoot, dishevelled and cold. We work with rough sleepers and people with complex needs who are often unable to access basic resources. Their situations are acute and rarely visible. It is deeply saddening that a service addressing such fundamental needs struggled to secure sustainable funding.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide those in our care much needed, quality clothing. It allowed for those who received your donations to feel proud having something new and we saw the effect it had on the homeless in our community that we directly manage.”

“This is often a mana-enhancing experience as staff have set up a little ‘shop’ so they can come and choose whatever clothes they want.”

"Common provided us with the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with tangata whaiora about self-care and we were able to witness people taking pride in their appearance for the first time in potentially a long time. Common provided our tangata whaiora with the opportunity of receiving a gift that was not second-hand and it was the perfect size which positively impacted confidence and self-esteem."

"We appreciate your clothing donations, which were distributed to our patients and their families on the Kidz First inpatient wards. Throughout the week, our Play Specialist team meets with every whaanau on the ward to understand how we can best support them during their hospital stay. For some families, having appropriate clothing for their children, especially rangatahi, is something they are not always able to provide. Having access to your donations meant we could offer brand‑new clothes to those who needed them, and these were genuinely appreciated."

“If Common hadn’t existed, many of our tamariki and their whānau would have continued facing quiet but significant barriers that often go unseen, the kind that affect confidence, dignity, and a child’s readiness to learn. In some of our most isolated communities, quality clothing isn’t just hard to access, it’s almost impossible.”