SunLive – Repair Café opens in Katikati

Katikati Community Baptist Church is set to open its own repair café on November 9, urging locals to “Don’t throw it away, let’s fix it!”

The initiative aims to help residents repair broken items rather than throw them away, promoting a culture of sustainability and community connections.

The Repair Cafe, located at 2 Wedgewood St from 9.30am to 12pm, will have a team of volunteer repair experts on hand to help with items ranging from toasters and lamps to clothing and bikes.

Visitors are advised to take damaged items with them so that they can be repaired free of charge.

Repair Café Katikati representative Vanessa Hudson emphasized the importance of the initiative to reduce waste in landfills.

“In New Zealand we throw away a lot of things, even things that are often fine and can easily be used again after a simple repair,” she said.

“Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to repair things like previous generations did, don’t have the tools, or can’t find a place to get them repaired. Our repair cafe wants to change all that.”

In addition to hands-on repair assistance, the café will feature an IT support station where participants can learn how to troubleshoot problems with their smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Hudson emphasized the social aspect of the renovation café, noting that it offers community members a unique opportunity to bond over a shared experience.

“If you fix a bike, a vacuum cleaner, or a jacket with a previously unknown neighbor, then the next time you meet that person on the street or in a store, you already have a connection, which makes conversation easier.”

The concept of repair cafes originated in the Netherlands in 2009, founded by journalist Martina Postma. The Repair Café Foundation supports groups around the world, including a new initiative in Katikati.

Repair Café Katikati will also be open on December 14th. Detailed information can be found on the website: facebook.com/RepairCafeKatikati or by email: [email protected].