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In February 2025, the Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill made it through its first reading and was referred to select committee. If the bill is successful, the new legislation will force manufacturers to make sure repair parts and information are available in New Zealand. Submissions close 3 April 2025.
Why we support the right to repair
Empowering New Zealanders with the choice and ability to repair the things they own promotes a circular economy – we think that’s a win for household budgets, the environment and consumer rights.
By extending products’ lifespans and making repairs easier and more affordable, New Zealand benefits from a thriving second-hand market and independent repair industry and, ultimately, consumers are better supported to make informed purchasing decisions.
If you want repairable products that go the distance, add your voice to the call for the right to repair.
Tell the select committee what you think by making a submission before midnight on Thursday 3 April.
Our petition
In August 2024, we submitted a petition (signed by 21, 243 people!) to parliament for its consideration. Read about our petition calling on the government to introduce a repairability label.
We believe introducing repairability labels and passing the Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill would be a comprehensive approach to tackling the detrimental impacts of planned obsolescence.
Stay in the loop
We'll send you regular campaign updates on changes happening in the industry. We’ll also keep you up-to-date with our latest news, investigations and invitations to take part in surveys.
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So, what exactly is a repairability label?
Just like energy star ratings tell you how efficient a product is to use, a repairability label tells you how easy a product is to repair before you buy it.
The label gives products a score based on:
- Whether repair documentation is available to independent repairers and/or consumers
- How easy it is to disassemble the product
- Availability of spare parts
- Price of spare parts
- Any other criteria specific to the product type.
We wouldn't be the first in the world to roll this out - the French have already successfully rolled out a similar repairability label.
Easy-to-repair products are going straight to landfill
When we tracked the journey of faulty appliances that we returned to stores, we found many of them went straight to the tip. For many companies, it’s more profitable to sell cheaply made products that can be replaced, rather than repaired.
Learn more
Information about repairability is hard to find
Our recent mystery shop found it's difficult for consumers to get information about repairability from retailers.
Read moreDevice repairability is expensive or non-existent
Some manufacturers are restricting spare parts and instruction manuals, claiming this practice reduces 'poor-quality' repairs.
Read more
Products aren't built to last
By law, a product should last a ‘reasonable’ amount of time, but many products are falling short of this. For example, at Consumer we’d expect a cordless vacuum to last 5 years, but our research found they work for 2.2 years on average. A corded vacuum should last for 8 years, but consumers have told us they last 4.8 years on average.
How do we fix it?
Our system is broken. So how do we stop appliances heading to landfill? We investigate some solutions.
We've changed the way we test
With our new lifetime scoring, we only recommend products that last. We still test products' performance, but we’re now including measures of reliability, owner satisfaction and repairability. This is a small step, which is why we want durability labelling for all New Zealanders, to make informed purchasing decisions.
Learn moreIn the news
Stuff, Three News, 19 February 2025
The fight for the right to be able to repair your broken stuff heads to Parliament
Greens.org.nz, 19 February 2025
Right to Repair Bill passes significant step
Stuff, The Post, 19 February 2025
Enshrining the right to repair will save money, scarce resources
RNZ, Summer Times, 14 January 2025,
Repairability and top tips for buying second-hand
The Spinoff, 26 April 2024
An afternoon at the Repair Café where everyday objects get a second life
TVNZ, Seven Sharp, 18 June, 2024
Broke, and you can’t fix it: How does a right to repair law work?
RNZ, Nine to Noon, 21 May 2024
Grocery basket wars and repairability labelling