10 September 2025: Right to Repair Webinar

Wednesday 10th September 2025

9:30am-10:30am

Sponsored by Repair Network Aotearoa

FREE for WasteMINZ Members and for Non Members

Shaping the Future of Repair in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Right to Repair movement in Aotearoa New Zealand is at a pivotal moment. With the Select Committee's report to the Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill now available, the conversation around repair regulations is most topical.

This is your chance to engage directly in the discussion.  What are the next steps for Right to Repair legislation after the Select Committee's decision. Join our webinar to reflect on where New Zealanders want to see repair regulations progressing. You'll hear from experts in the field, gain valuable insights, and have the opportunity to ask your questions.

SPEAKERS: Hon Marama Davidson, Dr Paul Smith, Prof Alex Sims, Andy Abel, Tom Handiside

FACILITATOR: Brigitte Sistig - Repair Network Aotearoa

Biographies

Brigitte Sistig- Repair Network Aotearoa

Brigitte Sistig is the Founder of Repair Network Aotearoa (RNA). She is a creative and committed grassroots community leader who enjoys working collaboratively and networking collectively. Her vision of the RNA ecosystem engendered a solid foundation across multiple sectors in New Zealand and the international Right to Repair Movement. Brigitte actively works toward enabling communities, businesses, and government to co-create a repair culture in Aotearoa.

Hon Marama Davidson - MP and Green Party Co-Leader

Marama Davidson (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tahinga) is Coleader of the Green Party, and MP responsible for the Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Member’s Bill. She is passionate about all areas of social and environmental injustice, and seeks to always elevate the voices of community leaders who do the work on the ground, every day.

Dr Paul Smith - Fixed First

Dr Paul Smith wants to see no more ‘durable’ products being sent to landfill. He advocates for a right to repair and works with businesses to develop practical solutions that make repair more accessible and economically viable.
Most recently, Paul transformed Consumer NZ’s independent product testing to include repair and durability measures and championed repairability labelling. He has also worked in automotive design and educated design engineers at Massey University.  

Prof Alex Sims- University of Auckland

Alex Sims is a Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School. Alex’s research and publication areas include intellectual property law and consumer law, two of the key legal areas for Right of Repair. She is a member of the Right to Repair coalition and has written on the Right to Repair.

Andy Abel - Need a Part

Andy is a co-founder and director of needapart.co.nz, an online retailer of household appliance parts. Need A Part has been selling parts since 2009 and works with a number of international appliance brands to help Kiwis keep their appliances up and running.

Tom Handiside - La Marzocco New Zealand

A visionary leader in the machinery manufacturing industry, Tom Handiside is passionate about driving sustainable growth through thoughtful strategy, with a strong focus on people, community, and doing the right things for the right reasons.
As Managing Director of La Marzocco New Zealand, Tom represents one of the world’s most respected espresso machine manufacturers. Founded in Florence nearly a century ago, La Marzocco continues to set the benchmark for craftsmanship and innovation in specialty coffee.