An adaptation of this opinion piece by CEO Laura Gemmell was published here.
Last April, the Consumer Guarantees Act (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill was plucked from the parliamentary lucky dip to the delight (and quite frankly, surprise) of advocates who had long been pushing for stronger repair rights.
The proposed Amendment aims to ensure our products are designed to last longer by mandating access to repair information, tools, and parts. Nothing wild – just basic consumer rights.
While the current Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) 1993 offers some protection for consumers, it does not explicitly guarantee the right to repair. Nor does it require manufacturers to do the heavy lifting by providing accessible repair services or solutions.
This means that most of our products are designed with propriety parts, weaponised warranties, or poor instructions for proper maintenance and repair. In other words, designed to become obsolete.
When something eventually breaks, Kiwis are forced to rely on expensive manufacturer repairs or replace the product entirely – lending itself to a whole new set of frustrations.
Don’t fall for repair myths
Anyone who has ever owned a household appliance would know that there is no good reason to oppose the Right to Repair Bill.
Yet, I’m still bracing myself for the most common argument against environmental responsibility there is – cost. I don’t want to be crass, but New Zealanders must realise that like all the irreparable products piling up in our landfills each year, that’s a load of crap.
There might be upfront costs involved for businesses in designing repairable products or providing repair resources, like manuals or parts. But the overall financial impact is often neutral or even positive in the long run.
According to an estimate by the EU Commission, its Right to Repair Directive will result in sellers and manufacturers saving around €15.6 billion (more than NZD$28.5 billion) over the next 15 years as they repair products instead of replacing them for free.
The dumping of electronic waste (anything with a plug) in particular, is tantamount to throwing money away. Such products contain valuable and increasingly scarce resources, already the focus of many geopolitical struggles. Recovering these materials presents an opportunity to build economic and climate resilience by reducing our dependence on volatile international markets.
Then there are the environmental benefits, which are of course, significant. The EU’s new rules are projected to reduce the amount of waste to landfill in the region, by a whopping 2 million tonnes annually, by 2030. Manufacturing items from raw materials is resource intensive and releases significant carbon emissions. By repairing and reusing what we already have, we can greatly reduce our negative impact on the planet.
Repair can tackle New Zealand’s waste problem
Truth be told, clean green New Zealand is actually a pretty wasteful nation. We currently generate more than 600kg of waste per person, each year. To put that in perspective, Japan, which is 41% larger than New Zealand, averages between 400-450kg.
Irreparable goods aren’t entirely to blame for that, but it’s my hope that this Bill will catalyse a return to quality over quantity, where consumers favour goods they know have been made to last and excellent customer service – over the likes of Temu, who undermine responsible local suppliers.
Imagine getting your appliances repaired locally without it costing an arm and a leg; simultaneously creating repair jobs, strengthening communities and the economy.
We have often heard from this Government, a preference for being fast followers. Well, here’s a prime opportunity to be just that. Should New Zealand adopt this Amendment, it will be in good company.
The EU has several measures in place including its Right to Repair and Ecodesign Directives and Circular Economy Action Plan. France has its own Repairability Index and New York, Minnesota and California have passed Right to Repair laws at a state level.
Locally, the Right to Repair movement has had significant support in this country with hundreds of repair cafes and events nationwide. Consumer NZ also delivered a petition to parliament last year which was backed by more than 21,000 New Zealanders calling for a repairability label.
Backed by local businesses
Before you dismiss me as another woke woman who can’t get off her soapbox, it’s also worth noting that the amendment, which Solicitor General Judith Collins confirmed as consistent with New Zealand’s Bill of Rights, aligns with a source of national pride; Kiwis and their no.8 wire ingenuity.
Fixing what we own is not a new philosophy to us. Many New Zealand businesses have successfully implemented voluntary repair schemes and are reaping the benefits. In their experience, doing so fosters brand loyalty, provides new revenue streams (spare parts, repair kits etc.) and allows them to command a premium for their products and reduces the number of returns.
These businesses include:
-
BLUNT Umbrellas – Known for their sleek, high-performance umbrellas, BLUNT not only ensures their products are designed to last but offers a dedicated repair service for consumers. With multiple BLUNT workshops across the globe to repair their products, BLUNT aims to expand their in-house workshops, as well as encouraging customers to do their own repairs at home through online tutorials and educational resources.
-
Kaiwaka Clothing – An estimated 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste is thrown away every year in New Zealand landfills. To combat this issue, Kaiwaka clothing offer a free lifetime warranty and repair service for consumers. Operating since 1975, Kaiwaka also promote their “buy once, buy right” philosophy, fighting against mass consumption and the take-make-waste culture.
Show your support
At Eco Choice Aotearoa, we actively seek to work with businesses that choose to extend or give their products a second life through repair and product stewardship solutions.
Together with a group of passionate organisations including Go Well Consulting, Circularity, Proxima Consulting, Sustainable Business Network, The Lever Room and more, we penned an open letter urging the government to advance the Bill through its first reading. You can read our open letter, here and submit your organisation’s logo to nick@gowellconsulting.co.nz to show your support.
UPDATE:
On the 19th of February, the Right to Repair Amendment Bill was voted through to the Select Committee in Parliament. Public submissions are now being called for the amendment, due Thursday 3rd April 2025. If you’d like to make your vote count, we urge you to make a submission here.
