What is RepairED?

RepairED is a programme that aims to increase access to repair, rebuild local resilience and strengthen community connection and self-sufficiency.

We provide opportunities for people of all ages & abilities to build their repair confidence through practical upskilling, increasing understanding of their consumer rights, and by establishing new social connections. We gather, mend, connect and engage in the circular economy.

RepairED is a piece of the puzzle contributing to Sustainability Trust’s mission of creating sustainable, healthy homes, supporting our community to take climate change action, and to nurture their relationship with Te Taiao.

Check out our repair events and resources below.

 

Why Repair?

Repair is climate action!

Repairing items instead of throwing them away helps reduce waste, carbon emissions, and saves money. Repair promotes climate action by extending the life of products and reducing our impact on te taiao.

  • Less stuff goes to landfill or needs to be recycled 

  • Fewer replacement products are needed, so there's less raw material extraction to make new products (the most carbon intensive part of a product's lifecycle)

  • It’s one of the easiest ways you can take action on climate change. Plus, it’s a great way to upskill. 

For more information on the waste hierarchy, check out Te Rautaki Para-Waste Strategy from Manatū Mō Te Taiao - Ministry for the Environment.

 

Want to get involved?

We are looking for volunteers who love repair

Looking to join a community of like minds, love repair and the community it builds as much as we do?

Whether you’re a practical repairer, data lover, a meet and greeter, baker or coffee and tea maker, we’d love to hear from you.

Click the link below for more information about our current volunteering positions:

 
 

Our RepairED Events

Just Sew

A sewing repair session with skilled volunteers to assist you or if you would prefer, they can take the lead of the repair and talk you through the mending process.  

If you have already got the skills but not the repair resources, we have a DIY section with machines available for you to use. 

Repair Cafés

A general repair session with skilled volunteers. Includes electrical, sewing, welding repairs as well as tool sharpening.  

 

Repair Hui

An opportunity for like minded people to connect socially and stay informed with what others are doing in the repair/remake space in the Wellington region.

 

Switched On

Switched on offers two workshops to build confidence with tools, taking items apart, and introduces the participant to the right to repair movement, circular economy and consumer rights.

 
 
 
 

Our Repair Resources

 

Repair Stations

A space in Te Aro Zero Waste is set up for people to come and utilize the equipment and repair resources we have to offer. We have soldering irons, electronic and electrical repair kits, multi-meters and other general tools.

Come along to have a go at repairing on your own or make a booking if you want some support. Bookings are available on Saturdays where someone will be on hand to answer questions and guide your repair.

Book here.

Sewing Machines

Know how to sew but don’t have a machine or the space?

Two sewing machines are set up in the Te Aro Zero Waste centre to use during opening hours.

If you would like to borrow a machine/s to use at home or with a group elsewhere email info@tearozerowaste.org.nz

Tool Library

We have electrical repair tool kits available to loan – saves everyone having to buy and store items which are only needed every so often. 

Email info@tearozerowaste.org.nz

Online Repair Resources


Repair What You Wear

Basic mending tutorials and educational resources. View website


Repair Café International

Repair Cafés form a worldwide movement that strives to preserve repair skills in society and to promote more repairable products. Learn more about the international repair movement.


Repair Café Aotearoa

Repair Cafés are free pop-up events where local people bring in their broken or damaged belongings and local volunteer experts do their best to repair them. The aim of Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand (RCANZ) is to foster a culture of repair in New Zealand. See upcoming events.


EHA Map

Check out Environment Hubs Aotearoa’s map that shows all Repair Cafés in Aotearoa.


Repair Manuals for Every Thing

Ifixit is the world’s largest online repair community, helping thousands of people fix their broken stuff by providing free repair manuals for everyday items. Find out more.


 

Wellington Repair Businesses


Watch this space!

Full list of repair businesses coming soon.


 
 

Repair Community


Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand

Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand operates to support the existing repair cafés scattered across the country with promotions, advocacy, and capacity building to amplify the impacts of repair for local communities.  

By reducing duplication of organisational processes, providing promotional and practical support for event organisers, RCANZ enables local groups to focus on engaging their communities, supporting their volunteers, and providing fun and inclusive events that build connection, support community resilience, and reduce waste. 


MakeRoom Wellington

MakeRoom is a maker space. Through their Stem Club education programme they provide a place where kids can create, invent and learn alongside experienced makers. 


 

Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to getting New Zealanders a fairer deal. 

They advocate for the right to repair and are asking Government to introduce a national product repairability label. 


Benchspace

Sharing the joy of working with wood, BenchSpace provides an accessible space for people who practice or want to learn the creative craft of working with wood. 


Tip Shop

The Tip Shop accepts donated items that people no longer want that are still in usable condition and gives them a second life. 


Bikespace

Bikespace is a WCC sponsored community bicycle repair workshop. Get your bike running at its best.


Hopper

Located at the top end of Cuba Street, Hopper is situated just outside of the busy city centre. With free parking, Hopper is a sanctuary where you can slow down and stock up on everyday essentials.


 
 

This project is supported by: