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Repair‑and‑reuse model saves NZ over $9.4m

New Zealand’s largest assistive technology provider Enable New Zealand’s national repair, refurbishment and reissue programme saved ACC more than $9.4 million in 2024/25.

The programme helps injured New Zealanders return to independence sooner by reducing delays. The organisation runs a similar programme for Disability Support Service and Health New Zealand, saving New Zealanders millions each year keeping high‑quality assistive technology in service longer and out of landfill.

The ACC model supports around 120,000 requests a year, helping provide the fast, efficient rehabilitation New Zealanders deserve, while delivering better performance and long-term financial sustainability for government agencies.

Refurbishing equipment to 'as new' standard costs ACC 70% less on average than buying an equivalent new item, supporting ACC's goal of delivering fast, efficient, and cost-effective services to New Zealanders.

“Refurbishing quality equipment rather than buying new, means more funds left in the pot to support more New Zealanders to live everyday lives,” says Scott Ambridge, Chief Executive, Enable New Zealand.

“It’s cost-effective, better for the environment and means better equipment for our disabled and injured community. Enable NZ’s refurbishment centres work alongside suppliers and repair specialists across Aotearoa to support a sustainable network which never compromises on safety, quality or timeliness.”

Enable New Zealand’s refurbishment centres in Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch include a busy complex‑equipment workshop, solely dedicated to power wheelchair refurbishment. The centres’ in‑house parts inventories extend the life of high‑quality equipment, while partnerships with more than 500 suppliers and repairers enable localised, fast repairs without defaulting to “buy new”.

In May 2025, the ACC refurbishment and repair programme returned 2,837 assistive technology items to be used again by injured New Zealanders. The network repaired or maintained 2,121 items, with only 24% written off as unfit to repair—reducing stress for people who depend on their equipment daily and keeping good gear out of landfill.

About the programme

Assistive technology items are cleaned, refurbished and tested to rigorous safety and quality standards before reissue. The refurbishment model is driven by a clear focus on outcomes: it incentivises purchasing durable, repairable equipment across the sector; builds local technical capability; and reduces carbon and waste by keeping equipment working for longer. The items are also regularly blessed by local kaiwhakawātea (a person who performs karakia to spiritually clear and prepare a space or object), in recognition of those who have used them and cleansing them in preparation for those who might use them next.

About Enable New Zealand

Enable New Zealand is the leading supplier of disability equipment, information and modification services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Every year they support over 176,000 New Zealanders to live everyday lives in their community. They have contracts with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Disability Support Services (DSS), and Health New Zealand (HNZ) to help provide and manage their assistive technology / disability equipment services.