An Interview with the Lovely Anna from She Hunts Op Shops

Q1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do?

I’m Anna, the human tornado behind She Hunts Op Shops. A photographer, storyteller, chaotic creative, mum, and full-time op-shop lover. I hunt treasure. I teach people how to live slower and dress with more soul for $3. I show up loudly and proudly, bragging about secondhand magic, real life, sustainable living, jokes, funny stories, and intrepid adventures - I share these experiences through my writing, film and  photography online.

I’m also married to Sean, who bravely endures my “quick op-shop run” that mysteriously turns into three hours. And our daughter, Frankie, who can spot a retro lampshade from 50 metres away. My life is powered by op-shop outfits, trinkets, dinner plates, cups of tea, vinyl, pottering and questionable decision-making.

 

Q2. What sparked your love for op shopping?

I started young, around 7 years old. My grandfather was an auctioneer and an avid collector of fine treasures. He had a three-bay shed filled with everything he couldn’t bear to send to auction, old cigarette tins from the war, brass candle holders that had travelled continents, towers of dusty books, and a grapevine outside with the juiciest grapes I’ve ever eaten.

I spent half my childhood with him. Mornings from 3am on the rural milk and mail run, then whole afternoons exploring his treasure sheds. That magical, cobwebbed chaos was my first op shop. I’ve been hooked ever since.

 

Q3. What do you love most about living and thrifting in Dunedin?

Ōtepoti / Dunedin is one of those rare little cities where creativity, community, and grit all shake hands. The op shops here have character, real, practical, heartfelt character. You can feel it the second you walk in. Especially at Shop On Carroll. People genuinely care, and they donate absolute gems.

I adore how many op shops exist in such a small radius…
though parking? Sometimes a full-contact sport.

Q4. When did you first discover Shop on Carroll?

Sometime around mid-2024. We were still living in Oamaru and slowly transitioning to Dunedin, spending weekends here until we officially moved in October.

You were still on Carroll Street then. I remember walking in for the first time, it felt like stepping through an Alice In Wonderland portal, complete with a trippy checkered floor and scenes straight out of Labyrinth. Treasure everywhere. Beautiful displays. Thoughtful sections. I was buzzing.

Honestly, I’d love to be let loose in a shop like yours just to decorate a corner.

 

Q5. What’s the first thing you look for when you walk into Shop on Carroll?

Curtains. Always.
But it depends what I’m hunting. I know I can rely on Shop On Carroll for sewing bits, fabric, jewellery, and all the quirky essentials. And if I have time to browse the clothing racks — that’s a sacred treat.

 

Q6. Do you have a favourite thrifted piece?

Just one?!

My newest favourite is a $3 disco ball hanging in my bedroom, it throws light everywhere and makes me feel like I’m living inside a joyful fever dream.

But my all-time favourites are our signature furniture pieces: the mustard armchair, the freestanding laundry cupboard, and our epic kilim rug.

 

Q7. What’s something you thrifted that feels the most “you”?

Our bedding. Every sheet, pillowcase, throw, and quilt. It’s so “us,” and we get to snuggle into it every single night.

 

Q8. Best op-shop find of all time?

My beautiful green genie bottle — an original from the 1940s with its glass top still intact. Fifteen dollars! A spiritual awakening.

 

Q9. Any funny, unexpected, or memorable moments?

Pretty sure I just bought back the pants I donated six months ago — for eight dollars! Full circle fashion.

 

Q10. What do you hope people feel or think when they see your content?

I hope they feel lighter. Inspired. Seen.
I hope they laugh.
I hope my photos remind them that beauty doesn’t need to be expensive, it just needs heart.

Op shopping isn’t about “stuff.” It’s about stories, community, humour, and choosing the gentler path.

Mostly, I hope my content makes people feel good.

 

Q11. What’s one message you want to share with the new Op Shop Social community?

Treat your local op shops like dear old friends. Visit often. Learn their shelves. Know their quirks. Pop in whenever you’re nearby. If you stay familiar, you’ll always know exactly where to find a screwdriver, a scarf, or a rubbish bin.

Using an op shop isn’t just a habit.
It’s a way forward.

Love Anna x

Q12. Are you excited for the future of Shop On Carroll — now Op Shop Social?

Absolutely. I love seeing organisations evolve, especially when the heart stays the same. New branding feels playful, modern, and full of possibility.

Ōtepoti / Dunedin needs more spaces like this — places where creativity and sustainability aren’t just buzzwords but lived experiences.

I can’t wait to see what comes next.