Repair Cafe gives household items a second life

A broken bicycle, a toaster and a giant model crane were among the items given a second life at the University of Auckland’s Repair Cafe on 16 October.

From morning to noon, dozens of volunteers from across the University poured into Unleash Space to help repair beloved household items that might have otherwise ended up in landfill.

Volunteers put their skills in sewing, electrical work, furniture and jewellery repair, and bicycle maintenance to use.

For the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Naomi Bradshaw, the event was an opportunity to fix a giant model crane with a broken motor that had cluttered her hallway for far too long.

"I couldn’t bear the thought of it going into landfill, I was waiting for an opportunity to have it fixed," she says.

"Job done, thanks to the wonderful volunteers at Repair Cafe. And though my son has outgrown it, it will now get to be enjoyed by a colleague’s kids." 

Repair Cafe is in its second year and continues to grow the University's sustainability and community engagement efforts.

Beyond extending the life of household items and reducing waste, co-organiser Dr Matthew Sidford says it also encourages the sharing of practical repair skills and brings people together through a culture of reuse and circular economy thinking.

"It's a great example of how small actions can contribute to a more sustainable future," he says.

Repair Cafe was hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and Design Sustainability Committee in association with Repair Network Aotearoa, with staff and student volunteers from across faculties and service divisions assisting on the day.