Too many products are easier to throw away than fix – NZ consumers deserve a ‘right to repair’

There was time when the family washing machine would last decades, with each breakdown fixed by the friendly local repairman. But those days are long gone.

Today, it is often faster, easier and cheaper to replace household items, even when they are meant to be repairable.

This is not just a consumer issue. Only about 2% of New Zealand’s e-waste is recycled, meaning most of our electrical goods are ending up in landfills.