Did you know that prams, guitars, and even snowboards have been left behind at Auckland Airport?

Every year, around 18.5 million travellers pass through the terminals, and some leave behind more than memories.

While many items are reunited with their owners, others are donated to help families in need.

In the past year alone, around 9,000 kilograms of unclaimed items have found new homes thanks to a partnership between Auckland Airport and ME Family Services (MEFS).

Based in Māngere and Ōtāhuhu, MEFS supports local families by providing free essential goods through its onsite Resource Room.

Auckland Airport Chief Operations Officer Chloe Surridge says the donations are part of a wider sustainability goal.

“We don’t want to see these items ending up in landfill,” she said. “It’s so much better they are re-homed for good.”

The airport is working towards reducing waste to landfill by 20% by 2030 (compared to 2019) and is already tracking at a 15% reduction.

For Coasties, this story highlights how the simple act of donating or rehoming goods can make a real difference.

MEFS assists around 800 families a year.

Many items—like prams, children’s clothes, and winter gear—are snapped up quickly.

“We’ve seen 50 donated books go in a single day,” said MEFS Chief Executive Carole Tana-Tepania.

Tana-Tepania explains how meaningful the donations can be.

“We recently had a mum walking her four kids everywhere,” she said.

“We sorted two prams for her. One for her and one for her older child to push, so they can get everyone to school and daycare more easily.”

The partnership between Auckland Airport and MEFS began eight years ago on a small scale.

Today, MEFS collects regularly from across the airport precinct, including hotel bedding donations.

Last year, more than 50 beds and bedding sets were provided—items always in high demand.

Here are some of the more surprising goods donated in 2024:

• Prams (more than 200)
• Guitars
• Skateboards and snowboards
• Car parts like shock absorbers
• Beds, bedding, and mattresses
• Crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs
• Sports gear, including tennis rackets
• Empty suitcases and chilly bins

For travellers who lose something at Auckland Airport, items are held at the Lost Property Office (by Door 1 in the international terminal) for up to three months.

Call 0800 AIRPORT (247 7678), option 4, or email [email protected]

If you’ve ever left something behind, there’s a good chance it helped someone in need.

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