Uber and New Zealand Red Cross are once again teaming up for the third annual Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive on Saturday, 18 October 2025. For the first time, Kiwis will be able to book free donation pick-up through both the Uber and Uber Eats apps across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch between 10am-4pm, making it even easier to give quality pre-loved clothing a second life and support New Zealand Red Cross Shops in raising vital funds for humanitarian programmes.

Kiwis are holding on to more clothes than ever before with busy lives meaning that donations often are delayed. New research* commissioned by Uber ahead of its annual Clothing Drive with New Zealand Red Cross, has found that for many Kiwis, it now takes around six weeks before they have time to donate their clothing which is significantly more than the typical two week wait time in 2023 and 2024.

The research also reveals Kiwis are only wearing 37% of the clothes in their closets, with the value of this unworn clothing hitting a three-year high of $1,062 per person – up from $800 in 2023, and $350 in 2024. Collectively, this adds up to millions of dollars worth of clothing waiting for a new home across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Talei Kitchingman, Director of Retail at New Zealand Red Cross, says, “Every quality item donated goes on to help us raise funds to support people in need across New Zealand – from emergency response, to refugee resettlement, to community programmes. And as part of the global Red Cross Movement, your donation also supports relief efforts internationally. When Kiwis donate their best quality clothes that they no longer wear, those donations go further than just filling racks in our Red Cross Shops – they help us raise more, waste less, and support more people in need.”

The research also reveals a growing trend in Kiwis’ approach to fashion sustainability. Although 63% express concern about the environmental impact of textile waste and fast fashion, 43% admit they never purchase pre-loved clothing. However younger New Zealanders are helping to lead the shift toward embracing pre-owned clothes, with over two in three 18–24-year-olds buying second-hand clothing each year, compared with well under half (44%) of those aged 55 and over. Youth are embracing sustainability, buying more second hand clothing and many more are volunteering in Red Cross Shops too.

Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber ANZ, says the Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive is about breaking down barriers to donating while also helping communities who are supported from the purchases made from Red Cross Shops.

“From the research it’s clear that Kiwis want to donate, with a quarter (25%) donating clothes annually, but many are getting stuck at the final step. By making donating free, simple and convenient through Uber and Uber Eats, we’re empowering Kiwis to clear out their wardrobes and donate their best quality clothing directly to Red Cross.”

Last year’s Clothing Drive saw more than 42,000 kilograms of quality clothing donated, with 3,500 free Uber Courier trips recorded throughout the day and stand-out donations including a fully tailored suit worn by New Zealand fashion icon, Colin Mathura-Jeffree.

For more information on the Uber x New Zealand Red Cross Clothing Drive, visit here: www.uber.com/nz/en/u/red-cross/clothing-drive/ 

How Kiwis can donate on Saturday 18 October:

First, give your wardrobe a good Spring clean out! Gather your pre-loved items into a bag or box, no heavier than 20kg, so it can comfortably sit in the boot of a midsize car. Then:

  1. Open the Uber or Uber Eats app
  2. Scroll to the Red Cross Clothing Drive image, and tap.
  3. You should see ‘Red Cross Clothing Drive’ set as the drop off spot
  4. If you’re in an eligible city, the Red Cross Clothing Drive promotion should automatically apply, so check that the trip is showing as a $0 amount
  5. Confirm!

Having issues or can’t see the tile? Head to the Uber App > Courier > type in ‘Red Cross Shop’ > Pick the first option shown > Confirm

Keep an eye on the app and meet the delivery person picking up your donation at the door, or kerbside if you can.

Key findings of the research:

  • The average New Zealander has unworn clothing worth about $1,062 in their wardrobe – the highest figure in three years of Uber’s polling
  • The average New Zealander’s longest wait before donating a bag of clothing is six weeks, significantly more than the typical two week wait time in 2023 and 2024.
  • 60% of Kiwis say they would be more likely to donate clothing if it was more convenient
  • On average, New Zealanders wear just 37% of the clothes in their wardrobe
  • While 63% of Kiwis are concerned about the environmental impact of textile waste and fast fashion, 43% admit they don’t buy second-hand clothing
  • Younger generations are driving change: 76% of 18–24-year-olds buy pre-loved clothing each year, compared with just 44% of those aged 55+

About the research:
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 18+ respondents in Australia & New Zealand, 1,000 nationally representative per market. The data was collected between 21.08.25 – 29.08.25.