University of Auckland Repair Café

Bring your broken or damaged items to the University of Auckland Repair Café and get help from volunteer repairers to see if they can be given a new lease on life.

From small electrical appliances and electronics to jewellery, toys and clothing, the Repair Café is a chance to repair rather than replace, learn useful skills and help keep items in use and out of landfill.

The event is open to all University of Auckland students and staff.

When: Friday 16 October 2026, 9am–1pm
Where: Kura Matahuna Unleash Space, 20 Symonds Street, Auckland
Who: University of Auckland students and staff
Cost: Free

The Repair Café is organised by the Faculty of Engineering and Design Sustainability Committee, Repair Network Aotearoa, the University of Auckland Sustainability Hub and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

What is a Repair Café?

A Repair Café brings people together to repair everyday items with the support of people who have practical repair skills.

Instead of throwing something away when it stops working or becomes damaged, bring it along and work with a volunteer repairer to investigate the problem and, where possible, repair it.

Repair Cafés are part of a wider movement encouraging a culture in which repair and reuse become the norm. Repair Network Aotearoa supports Repair Cafés around the country as part of its work to reduce waste, share repair skills and help build a more circular economy.

What can I bring?

There will be a range of repair stations available.

• Electrical repairs: small electrical appliances such as toasters and vacuum cleaners.
• Electronics: items such as radios and headphones.
• Jewellery: jewellery repairs and making.
• Mechanical and wood: small mechanical items and wooden objects needing repair.
• Toys: toy repairs and maintenance.
• Sewing, knitting and crochet: clothing repairs and mending.

The event poster also identifies electronic items, jewellery, clothing, bikes and other items as examples of things participants can bring.

Repair Café volunteers will assess each item and determine whether they have the skills, equipment and time to help. Not every item will be repairable on the day.

What can’t we repair?

For safety and practical reasons, some items are not suitable for the Repair Café.

Please do not bring:

Microwaves, whiteware or anything too large or heavy to carry easily.

We are also unable to offer zip replacements. Replacing a zip can involve significant unpicking, sourcing the correct replacement and specialist sewing, and is a service already provided by professional clothing alteration businesses.

The focus of the Repair Café is on repairs and mending rather than clothing alterations.

How does it work?

Bring your item to the Repair Café and it will be matched with an appropriate repair station.

Our volunteer repairers will investigate the problem with you and, where practical, help carry out a repair. An important part of a Repair Café is sharing knowledge, so participants are encouraged to be involved in the process rather than simply dropping an item off for someone else to fix.

If a repair requires a part you do not have, the repairer may be able to identify the component required and provide information so you can purchase it for a future repair.

Repair Cafés around Aotearoa similarly encourage people to bring broken items, learn repair skills and work alongside skilled volunteers.

Why repair?

Repairing an item can extend its useful life, reduce waste and avoid the resources involved in manufacturing and purchasing a replacement.

It can also build practical skills and change the way we think about the things we own: from disposable products to objects that can often be maintained, adapted and repaired.

Repair Network Aotearoa describes repair as an important part of developing resilient communities and a circular, low-carbon economy, connecting community initiatives, education, businesses, councils and advocates across the country.

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides a world of opportunity to participants so that they can stand-out and create value through innovative careers and start-up creation.

CIE is New Zealand’s leading University entrepreneurship centre, winning 16 international awards since 2020.

Repair Network Aotearoa (RNA) is a community-led charitable trust working to foster a culture of repair across Aotearoa New Zealand.

It connects and supports Repair Cafés, educators, businesses, councils and advocates, helping make repair more accessible, valued and normalised. Its work spans community action, education, economic innovation, civic engagement and advocacy, with the aim of reducing waste and supporting a circular, climate-resilient future.

Repair Network Aotearoa is part of a wider global repair movement and supports the growth of Repair Cafés throughout New Zealand.