The Computer Community Help Project
Giving Laptops a Second Life: The Computer Help NZ Community Help Project
Pictured: Hamish handing over donated laptops to Faye, Manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters Christchurch.
At Computer Help NZ, we’ve always believed that a good computer can change someone’s life. That’s the simple idea behind our Community Help Project, and moments like the one pictured above are exactly why we do it.
Recently, we had the pleasure of donating refurbished laptops to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Christchurch, who used them to surprise two young people in their programme. Both were thrilled, and one shared that they were especially looking forward to being able to keep up with school again. That’s the kind of outcome that makes this project so worthwhile.
How the Community Help Project Works
When customers trade in their old laptop as part of a new purchase, they receive a discount of $150, $250 or $350 depending on condition. We then assess, repair, securely wipe and rebuild the device, installing a fresh copy of Windows along with useful utilities. Every laptop is thoroughly tested before it goes anywhere.
Refurbished laptops are then donated on a case-by-case basis to organisations and individuals including:
- Community groups working with at-risk children
- Families in serious financial difficulty
- Mental health support groups
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities
- Suicide prevention organisations
- Older people in isolation
Current recipients include Cholmondeley Children’s Foundation, Dress for Success, Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, RISE Ministry’s Trust, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We also help individuals directly, and welcome nominations from anyone who knows a person or group that could benefit.
To nominate a group or individual, email
What We Can Fix: Computer Repairs in Christchurch
The same expertise that goes into refurbishing laptops for the Community Help Project is what we bring to every repair job in our workshop. Computer Help NZ has been fixing computers in Christchurch since 1997, and our team of technicians averages over 15 years of full-time experience each. Here’s a look at the kinds of repairs we handle every day.
Laptops
We repair all laptop brands, including MacBooks, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Samsung, Sony, and Microsoft Surface. Whether your laptop won’t start, has a black screen, runs slow, or has a cracked screen, we’ve seen it and fixed it. Around 97% of laptop repairs are completed within 24 hours, with an average fix time of under 10 hours. Common laptop repairs include:
- Black screen or won’t boot – often a Windows issue, failed update, or faulty drive
- Liquid damage – turn it off immediately and bring it in as soon as possible
- Cracked or damaged screens – we carry parts for most models
- Slow performance – often caused by startup programs, full drives, or outdated hardware
- Virus and malware removal
- Password recovery – we have tools to get past most passwords
- Internet and Wi-Fi issues
- Keyboard repairs and replacements
- Broken ports (USB, HDMI, power socket, USB-C) – we have a specialist for soldered port repairs
- Data transfer to a new computer
MacBooks and Apple Macs
Mac repairs require specialist skills and tools, and we’ve invested in both. We’ve fixed thousands of MacBooks and iMacs, covering everything from logic board failures and black screens to spinning rainbow wheels and internet issues. Because we’re not locked into Apple’s authorised repair process, we have the freedom to use both genuine and non-genuine Apple parts, which often means we can fix your Mac faster and at a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. iMacs can also be upgraded with more RAM or a solid state drive (SSD) to give older machines a genuine performance boost.
Desktop PCs
We repair all desktop brands, including HP, Dell, IBM, Sony, Samsung, Compaq, and locally-built machines. Around half the PCs we repair are unbranded, locally assembled computers, and they’re well worth fixing. Desktops are often cheaper and easier to repair than laptops, and many come in the morning and leave the same afternoon. Common desktop repairs include power supply failures, startup issues, black screens, email problems, and noisy fans or hard drives.
Data Recovery and Backup
Losing data is one of the most stressful computer experiences there is. We have professional-grade tools for recovering data from damaged or failing drives, and we can advise on backup options to make sure it never happens again. If you think your drive is failing, stop using the computer immediately and bring it in, as continued use makes recovery harder. We also offer a Basic Backup service so that if something does go wrong down the track, getting back up and running is fast and affordable.
Health Check Service
Our 38-point computer health check covers security, drive testing, speed optimisation, and early detection of potential problems. We recommend it once a year for regular users, and twice a year for heavy users. It’s the best way to prevent issues before they become expensive ones.
Remote Repairs and Onsite Service
Many issues can be fixed remotely, which is fast, convenient, and often cheaper. If you’re in Christchurch or the wider Canterbury region, we can also come to you. Our onsite technicians cover Christchurch city and suburbs, Rolleston, Prebbleton, Rangiora, Belfast, and beyond. For those outside Canterbury, we regularly receive computers by courier and fix them faster than local options.
Insurance Assessments
If your computer has been damaged and you need to make an insurance claim, we can help. We provide professional assessments that meet insurance company requirements, with over 95% of claims accepted based on our reports. We send the report directly to your insurer and copy you in.
Our Guarantee
Every repair is backed by our 120% guarantee. We aim to get it right the first time, every time. If something isn’t right after a repair, we’ll sort it at no extra charge. All repairs are also covered by a standard 90-day guarantee on workmanship.
Get in Touch
Call us on 0800 FIX NOW (0800 349 669), visit us at 160b Selwyn St, Christchurch, or visit chnz.co.nz. Same-day service is our standard, and urgent 60-minute callouts are available.