Some second-hand store volunteers have been forced to cut their holidays short to deal with mountains of donated goods.
Charities say Kiwis are getting rid of more stuff than ever, and some have attributed the de-cluttering craze to a new Netflix series which tells viewers to say goodbye to anything that doesn't "spark joy".
The Salvation Army estimates that at its Botany store alone a new pile is dropped every 10 minutes. One man dropped off almost three van loads on Friday.
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"It makes me feel different that we're giving it to someone who can use it but in the same breath it's telling me that we're wasting," donor Vee Ramadeen said.
A new year normally brings inspiration for people to de-clutter. But charity stores say this year has been the busiest yet.
"A lot of it is because people are trying to make their houses less busy I think, making their life easier, simple," Salvation Army Botany sales assistant Jane Ushaw said.
One bag donated had the name Marie Kondo written on it - a Japanese organising consultant known as the tidiest person in the world.
"Hello, I am Marie Kondo. My mission is to spark joy in the world through cleaning," she says in a clip of her Netflix show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.
It's believed her new Netflix series may have something to do with Kiwis doing away with excess.
Ms Kondo says if it sparks joy then keep it, and if not, then you should say thank you to the item and let it go. She also gives lessons on how to fold your clothes to keep things in order.
Many Kiwis have taken to Facebook after Marie Kondo-ing their home.
One Wellington man took his shirt off while having a beer with friends to show off the folding technique.
"If it gives you joy you keep it, if it doesn't give you joy you throw it. Yeah, I think I've got four things left in my cupboard," one Vinnies volunteer who tried the Marie Kondo said.
Some are also realising that an easy way to de-clutter is simply to stop buying so much.
Charity stores want anyone Marie Kondo-ing their home to remember to bin the trash and only donate the good stuff.
Both the Vinnies in Kingsland and the Salvation Army in Botany are looking for extra volunteers to help sort the items.
Kingsland Vinnies operations and youth manager Delphina Soti said she had to open the store early to deal with the large number of items that were being donated.
Staff and volunteers returned from holidays about two weeks early to do the sorting.
Newshub.
