Nationwide festival demonstrates grassroots commitment to circular economy as New Zealand lags behind international repair rights development

6-14 September 2025 – While Right to Repair legislation develops in New Zealand, grassroots communities, progressive businesses, and forward-thinking local councils are leading by example during the 2025 Repair Festival Aotearoa, demonstrating the power of community action to tackle the growing waste crisis and build a more sustainable future.

Festival Celebrates Growing Repair Movement

The 2025 Repair Festival Aotearoa brings together grassroots communities, progressive businesses, and forward-thinking local councils in a nationwide celebration of fixing, mending, and extending the life of everyday items. This year's festival is particularly significant as it demonstrates the power of community action while New Zealand's Right to Repair legislation continues to develop.

"We can't wait for politicians to catch up with what people already know – that repair is essential for our planet's future," said Brigitte Sistig, Founder and Chair of Repair Network Aotearoa. "This festival showcases how New Zealanders are already building the circular economy from the ground up."

Environmental Impact Drives Participation

The festival addresses the urgent environmental challenges facing New Zealand, where household waste contributes significantly to CO emissions through both the manufacturing of replacement goods and methane production in landfills. By extending the life of everyday items – from smartphones and clothing to kitchen appliances and bicycles – festival participants directly reduce their carbon footprint while building valuable skills.

"Every repaired item represents prevented emissions, reduced resource extraction, and diverted landfill waste," explained Sistig. "When we fix instead of replace, we're voting for a more sustainable future with our actions, not just our words."

Repair Café Network Expands Nationwide

A highlight of this year's festival is the launch of four new Repair Cafés, expanding the growing network of community repair options across New Zealand to over 80. These volunteer-run spaces provide free repair services and skill-sharing opportunities across multiple categories: electronics, textiles and clothing, small electrical household items, bikes, small furniture and gardening tools.

Business and Council Leadership

Progressive New Zealand businesses are embracing repair-friendly practices ahead of potential legislation, offering extended warranties, spare parts availability, and repair services. Several local councils have also stepped forward as festival partners, providing venues, promotional support, and integrating repair initiatives into their waste reduction strategies.

This isn't just about individual items – it's about fundamentally changing how we think about consumption. Smart businesses recognise that supporting repair builds customer loyalty while reducing environmental impact.

Building Cultural Change

The Repair Festival represents more than individual fixes – it's about fostering a cultural shift toward valuing repair, reuse, and resourcefulness. This aligns with traditional values while addressing contemporary environmental challenges through practical community action.

"Every mended shirt, fixed phone, or restored bicycle represents hope for a more sustainable future," said Sistig. "We're proving that environmental action can be positive, social, and immediately impactful."

Festival Highlights

The week-long celebration features:

• Community Repair Events: Free repair services across participating locations
• Skill-Sharing Workshops: Learn to fix everything from torn clothing to broken electronics
• Business Showcases: Highlighting repair-friendly companies and services
• Policy Discussions: Community conversations about the future of repair rights in New Zealand

A Movement Beyond Politics

While legislative progress remains slow, the Repair Festival demonstrates that communities don't need permission to create change. The growing movement represents a convergence of environmental consciousness, economic pragmatism, and traditional Kiwi values of resourcefulness and community spirit.

"This festival proves that real change happens at the community level," concluded Sistig from the Repair Network Aotearoa. "We're not waiting for perfect policy – we're building the culture of repair that will make good policy inevitable."

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