New Zealand joins all 50 states in supporting the Right to Repair

The Right to Repair movement is driven by a simple yet powerful idea: Consumers should have the ability to fix their own products or access independent repair services without restrictions from manufacturers. Whether it’s smartphones, household appliances, or even farm equipment, the right to repair empowers consumers and reduces unnecessary waste.

For consumers, Right to Repair laws mean a wider variety of more affordable and accessible repair options. Currently, many manufacturers tightly control repair services by limiting access to essential tools, spare parts, and repair manuals. This forces consumers to either pay high fees for manufacturer-authorized repairs or replace items entirely—both of which place unnecessary financial burdens on households.

A global movement towards repair autonomy

A shift is underway as consumers worldwide are demanding the right to repair their products rather than being forced to replace them, and lawmakers are finally listening. In a major win for consumer rights and environmental sustainability, New Zealand has taken a crucial step toward enacting Right to Repair legislation. The Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill, which recently had its first reading in Parliament, aims to ensure that manufacturers provide better access to repair services and spare parts.

New Zealand’s proposed legislation parallels the growing number of Right to Repair laws in the United States: as of earlier this week, all 50 U.S. states have now introduced Right to Repair legislation. With active bills in 24 states and successful laws passed in seven states since 2020, it’s clear the movement is gaining widespread traction. Tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google have even begun to support some repair-friendly policies, signaling a long-awaited shift in the industry.

Thanks to all of this momentum, the U.S. is catching up to the rest of the world. Already, the European Union has implemented a Right to Repair directive, ensuring that consumers can access repair options across multiple product categories. Australia has established repair rules for cars and ongoing efforts to expand them to other products. South Africa also enacted protections for car repair. Meanwhile, Canada recently passed two Right to Repair laws, further strengthening consumer repair rights and pushing manufacturers toward greater transparency and accessibility in repairs.

New Zealand’s bill, like those in the U.S. and Europe, seeks to make repair the easier option for consumers instead of constant disposal. By ensuring that manufacturers provide access to spare parts and repair documentation, these laws encourage a culture of repair, extending the life of products and reducing environmental harm.

Beyond consumer benefits, the Right to Repair spurs profound environmental safeguards. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, with tens of millions of tons of discarded electronics ending up in landfills each year. Many of these items could be repaired and reused, which would significantly reduce the demand for raw materials and the carbon footprint of manufacturing new products.

Universal repair rights on the horizon

The introduction of Right to Repair legislation in New Zealand signals a new frontier in the global shift toward repair-friendly policies. As more governments recognize the economic and environmental benefits of repair, manufacturers will face increasing pressure to adapt. Consumers, advocacy groups, and lawmakers must continue pushing for stronger repair rights to ensure that individuals, rather than corporations, control the lifespan of the products they own.

As this movement gains momentum, one thing is clear: The future belongs to repair, not replacement. By embracing the Right to Repair, we can create a more sustainable, consumer-friendly world where fixing our stuff is the norm, not the exception.