Who we are

Whāinga / Purpose

The purpose of the Repair Network Aotearoa Trust is to foster a repair culture in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly practical and accessible community repair opportunities, and to advocate for repair services, repair education/training and right to repair legislation.

The primary objectives of the Trust are:

  1. To protect and enhance the environment by providing services and coordination and conducting projects, education and advocacy in the Aotearoa repair space; and

  2. To advance education in the field of sustainable living, environmental protection and community resilience with the focus on repair; and

  3. To provide a national umbrella organisation for organisations and individuals who share the Trust’s vision and objectives.

Meet the Team

  • Brigitte Sistig

    FOUNDER

    Witnessing the development of Repair Network Aotearoa has been a privilege for Brigitte. Engaging volunteers, collaborating across sectors, and campaigning for the right to repair have been instrumental in fostering a vibrant repair community. By championing the economic and environmental benefits of repair, we're building a robust repair culture in New Zealand together.

  • Katherine Langford

    TRUSTEE

    Although she has an arts and music background, Katherine now manages the Asia Pacific branch of a global online voting company, and is passionate about transparency and democracy. She co-founded the Repair Café in Opotiki in 2023, and sees the amazing potential of the Repair Network to be a portal for broader environmental awareness and building community connection and resilience.

  • Yasmin Kidd

    TRUSTEE

    A passionate student of Urban Planning, Yasmin has been an advocate for climate justice, and is hopeful to see our cities become more sustainable and equitable. Inspired by the Repair Café Network, I see these community hubs fostering a connected, resilient urban future in Aotearoa’s cities.

  • Alexandra Kirkham

    TRUSTEE

    Alex has worked in waste and resource recovery policy in Australia and New Zealand, for the Environment Protection Authority in Victoria, and later with Auckland Council. She now work as a Project Innovation Lead for Climate Connect Aotearoa and has huge hope that building a repair economy will be the game-changer New Zealand needs to address a whole range of environmental and economic problems.

  • L'Rey Renata

    BOARD ADVISOR

    He uri ahau o Ngāpuhi, Tainui me Ngai te Rangi engari I tipu ake ahau ki Tāmaki Makaurau. I work as a water engineer for GHD, prioritising the health and wellbeing of our wai in the work that we do. L’Rey is also a PhD candidate; her thesis is on ‘Redefining Engineering Best Practice through a Te Ao Māori lens.’

  • Stephen Moe

    BOARD ADVISOR

    Steven Moe is a Partner at Parry Field Lawyers with a focus on “for purpose” organisations including charities and incorporated societies. He is on the Charities Services sector group, the XRB Advisory Panel and has worked as a lawyer for 23 years. Steven hosts seeds podcast which has a focus on people doing inspiring things which has 400 episodes and another on governance for the Institute of Directors called Board Matters.

  • Lucie Ozanne

    BOARD ADVISOR

    A consumer researcher and academic at the University of Canterbury, I have focused my research on understanding consumer efforts to pursue more sustainable forms of consumption. Over the past 20 years, I have explored ridesharing, toy sharing through toy libraries, skill sharing through timebanks, peer-to-peer renting and swapping, and now consumer repair and repair networks. I am passionate about how we can collectively work together to foster more sustainable and resilient communities.

  • Yoann Ledey

    BOARD ADVISOR

    Yoann brings life sciences, strategy, and communication expertise to the Repair Network Aotearoa. Jack of all trades, he has supported the growth of the repair café movement in Aotearoa for several years and is dedicated to promoting a repair culture.

  • Joanne Waitoa

    BOARD ADVISOR

    Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Rakaipaaka engari i tipu ake ahau ki Wairarapa. I am currently a senior advisor focused on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and environmental policy. I have a background in research and have published on Indigenous digital activism, Māori politics, and diverse economies. I am also a trustee for Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, and serve on the board of Waiwaste, a local food rescue organisation.