Nelson & Tasman secondhand bookshops & op shops with books
Nelson’s secondhand book scene has changed fast. Brett’s Book Exchange in Richmond closed in January 2025 after 34 years, and in September 2025 Founders Heritage Park opened The Book Vault to sell its huge store of donated books year-round. Beyond that, used books in Whakatū and Tasman are found in charity and reuse shops — several of them genuinely good.
Every listing here has been checked against an official or recent source. Op shops are included only where books are part of their documented stock.
We also checked Golden Bay (Tākaka) and Māpua in November 2026 and found no secondhand bookshop or op shop with confirmed books there — Motueka’s Salvation Army is the last stop before the Tākaka Hill.
1 dedicated bookshop · 7 op shops with books · updated 2026-11-01
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Nelson — secondhand books & op shops
Dedicated bookshops
Op shops & charity stores with books
The ReUse Shops — Nelson Environment Centre
Annesbrook, Nelson
Op shop with booksHabitat ReStore Nelson
Tāhunanui, Nelson
Op shop with booksRed Cross Shop Nelson
Nelson South, Nelson
Op shop with booksSalvation Army Family Store — Nelson
Nelson Central, Nelson
Richmond — secondhand books & op shops
Op shops & charity stores with books
Salvation Army Family Store — Richmond
Richmond
Op shop with booksHospice Shop Superstore — Richmond
Richmond
Motueka — secondhand books & op shops
Op shops & charity stores with books
Nelson bookshop crawl guide
Thursday to Sunday is the time to visit: The Book Vault at Founders Heritage Park opens 11am–3pm those days only. Start there (Atawhai Drive, north of the city), then head into the centre for the Salvation Army on Hardy Street and the Red Cross Shop on Vanguard Street.
Southbound, the ReUse Shops in Annesbrook (open from 8am, seven days) and Habitat’s Tāhunanui ReStore sit within a few minutes of each other on the way to Richmond, where the Salvation Army and the Hospice Superstore anchor either end of Queen Street.
Heading for Abel Tasman or Golden Bay? Motueka’s Salvation Army on Greenwood Street is the last reliable charity book stop before the hill. Founders Park’s annual nine-day book fair is the region’s big book event — check the park’s website for dates.
FAQ
Is there a secondhand bookshop in Nelson?
Yes — The Book Vault at Founders Heritage Park on Atawhai Drive opened in September 2025 and sells donated secondhand books Thursday to Sunday, 11am–3pm. Otherwise, the best used-book sources are the ReUse Shops in Annesbrook and charity shops such as Red Cross, Habitat and the Salvation Army.
Is Brett’s Book Exchange in Richmond still open?
No. Brett’s Book Exchange on Queen Street, Richmond, closed at the end of January 2025 when owner Brett Loper retired after 34 years. Unsold books went to Founders Heritage Park.
Where can I buy cheap books in Nelson on a Sunday?
The ReUse Shops in Annesbrook (Sunday 10am–4:20pm), The Book Vault at Founders Park (11am–3pm), the Red Cross Shop on Vanguard Street and the Hospice Superstore in Richmond all open on Sundays.
Does Founders Park still hold a book fair?
Yes — Founders Heritage Park runs an annual nine-day book fair from its store of donated books. Check the park’s website for the next dates.
Are there secondhand bookshops in Golden Bay or Māpua?
Not that we could confirm in November 2026. Tākaka’s Hospice Shop and Trash Palace are charity shops focused on clothing and homewares, and Paper Plus Tākaka sells new books. Stock up in Nelson or at the Salvation Army in Motueka before heading over the hill.
Not listed (closed, unverified or no books)
- Brett’s Book Exchange (Richmond) — closed end of January 2025 (Top South Now).
- Litterarty (91 Hardy Street) — still in phone directories but no recent evidence it is trading; not listed until confirmed.
- “Read Book Shop” (Robinson Road) — appears only in a scraped directory with no independent confirmation.
- Hospice shops on Vanguard, Saxton (Stoke) and in Motueka — open, but their official descriptions focus on clothing, homewares and furniture; books not confirmed per shop.
- Page & Blackmore Booksellers — excellent independent, but new books only.
- Hospice Shop Tākaka (37 Commercial St) and Trash Palace (Tākaka) — open, but the operators describe clothing, homewares and furniture; books not confirmed.
- Paper Plus Tākaka — new books only.
- Mapua Bookstore (49 Aranui Rd) — directory listing only; secondhand stock not confirmed. Ruby Coast in Māpua is clothing.
Nearby regions
Greater Christchurch · Dunedin & Port Chalmers · All South Island regions