New Zealand Collision Repair Association

04/09/2026

Hi everyone,

The CRA 6 is sent to CRA members every week, covering 6 key things happening in the CRA or of interest to those involved in Collision Repair, taking 1-2 minutes to read.

Week beginning: 31st of August 2026


1. MITO's First Industry Summit and Awards:

MITO held its first Industry Summit and awards in Wellington on September 1. The CRA was represented by our GM and Chairperson; the event brought together all the shareholders of MITO and industry participants. Two awards were presented of special interest to collision repair. Jet Te Aho was awarded Learner of the Year – Collision Repair: Jet works for his parents at Cavanagh Panel Paint Glass in Te Puke.

Jet Te Aho was presented with the Learner of the Year – Collision Repair award by MITO Board Director Warren Flowerday and MITO Chairperson Sturrock

2. MITO Chairperson's Award

Bob Boniface was presented with the MITO Chairperson’s Award by Sturrock Saunders, MITO Chairperson, and Warren Flowerday, MITO Deputy Chairperson. The award recognised the service Bob has given to the industry in his various roles over the years.

It was great to see two people from the collision repair industry being recognised, congratulations Jet and Bob.

3. The CRA National Executive had a day of training on governance in Auckland this week. Run by Henri Eliot from Board Dynamics, the training was designed to ensure all Nx members had the knowledge needed for their roles under the Incorporated Societies Act (2022). It also focused on effective operation of a board, the questions to ask and how to ensure the right focus is given to what the CRA do. An Nx meeting held the following day showed how effective the training was. It might sound too corporate, but strategy (where you want to go and how are you get there) is more important now in a transitioning industry than ever before.

4. Roadshows:

Roadshows have started with the Auckland event on Wednesday evening. Over the next two weeks, Chairman Jeff Robson and GM Stewart Gibb will travel to the 8 branches to present the September roadshow.

Content includes:
• presentations on Virtual Estimating,
• EV PPE and protective equipment,
• MITO's new collision training programs at Level 3, 4 and 5,
the NZ Automotive Marketing Cooperative, an update with PartsTrader and an introduction of the new CRA collision repair career promotion video.

This doesn’t include local speakers and presentations organised by each branch committee.

The industry is changing, and you can stay connected by attending the roadshow in your area.

5. Australia Right to Repair:

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken Subaru Australia to court, alleging that Subaru Australia failed to provide independent repairers with access to software and technical information on the same terms as its dealer network. The allegations include requiring independent repairers to purchase additional hardware, restricting subscription options, and, in some instances, failing to provide requested information immediately or at all. This is seen as a significant step in Australia’s Right to Repair Laws.

6. Passenger vehicles sold in August were 9136, up 13.1% on August 2025. Year to date EVs and PHEV were 24% of the market compared to 10% at the same time last year. Passenger vehicle registrations are up 17% and rentals 33% higher year to date while business registrations are unchanged.

To end:

Dad Jokes (again sorry!)

• How does an Eskimo build a house? Igloos it together
• Did you hear about the cat that ate a lemon? Now it's a sour pus
• What did one hat say to the other? Stay here I'm going on a head
• I have a joke about pizza... but it's too cheesy
• I have a joke about a pencil... but it's pointless
• Today my son asked can I have a book Mark. I totally burst into tears; he's 11 years old and still doesn't know my names Brian
• What did the slow tomato say to the others? Don't worry I'll Ketchup
• Why did the meatballs tell the spaghetti to go to sleep? It was pasta bedtime
• Why did Dad burn the Hawaiian Pizza? He should have used Aloha temperature
• Why should you never date a baker? I've been told their too kneady.
• Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb
• What's brown and sticky? A stick!
• What do you call cheese that's not yours. Nacho cheese
• I thought the dryer was shrinking my clothes. Turns out it was the refrigerator all along!
• How does the moon cut his hair? Eclipse it!

03/09/2026

Golden Gun 2025 – Ervin Jay Hernandez From Fleet Image NZ

Ejay has been with Fleet Image for five years after starting out as a sandblaster. His passion for growth and learning led him to ask us for an apprenticeship in spray painting.Despite English being his second language, his unwavering dedication and commitment to mastering the art of automotive spray painting have made him one of our most talented painters. He loves a new challenge and has become a true professional.

Q. How did you get into the trade?

I arrived in New Zealand in 2018 and completed high school in 2019. My original plan was to study Multimedia Arts, but getting residency was difficult and international tuition was beyond what I could afford.

Determined to stay in New Zealand, I looked for an employer willing to give me a chance. Through my mum’s friend, I met the owners of Fleet Image, Carla Botha and Kris Browne, who believed in my story and offered me a job as a sandblaster in October 2020.

I threw myself into learning the trade. Although I enjoyed blasting, I realised it was physically demanding, so I started spending my spare time learning preparation and painting. The more I painted, the more I loved it. Seeing a high-quality finish gave me a real sense of pride, and that passion has continued to drive me to improve every day.

Q. What has been your favourite job that you have completed at work so far?

Three jobs stand out to me. The first was repainting an excavator, including repairs and colour matching, which I completed by myself in two days. My boss was impressed with the result, and I was proud of the finish.

The second was painting a truck cab with my fellow apprentice, Paris. We applied a Hot Rod Gloss finish, and seeing the completed truck shining in the sun was incredibly rewarding.

The third was a recent Pearl White 070 Toyota repair, which I used for my final colour-matching assessment. With guidance from my workmate Eli Tilyard, I learned how to spray pearl colours properly, and the finished result gave me a great sense of achievement.

Q. What interests do you have outsideof work?

Outside of work, my biggest passion is beatboxing. I’ve been doing it since 2016, have won several New Zealand championships, and in 2023 represented New Zealand at the World Beatbox Championships in Berlin. I also enjoy creating videos, from day-in-the-life content to cinematic brand projects. Like beatboxing, filmmaking lets me express my creativity and share my perspective with others.

Q. What advice would you give to a young person looking to join the trade?

Come in with a positive attitude and be willing to learn. Nobody starts as an expert, and the basics, especially preparation, are the foundation of quality work.

Winning the Golden Gun Award and qualifying as an automotive refinisher came through consistency, hard work, and learning from mistakes. Take pride in the small details, ask questions, and never stop improving. If you stay committed, this trade can provide a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities.

Q. What does it mean to you to have won the Golden Gun 2025 award?

Winning the Golden Gun Award is a proud milestone that recognises the hard work I’ve put into my apprenticeship. It also reflects the support of my mentors, workmates, and family, who helped me along the way.

The award has given me confidence in my abilities and motivated me to keep learning, developing my skills, and aiming even higher in my career.

03/09/2026

Golden Hammer 2025 – Justin Williamson from Hamilton Panelworks (1963) Ltd

Justin started with Hamilton Panel Works in 2023. He had previously completed a refinishing qualification in the early 2000s, but after working in other industries, he developed a newfound passion for panel beating. With a great appetite for learning and perfecting new skills, Justin is now in a leadership role in the panel shop, demonstrating daily that he both learns and leads. With his can-do attitude, he is always proactive in pursuing any improvements for the business.

He also shows great patience and understanding toward younger members of staff and is always willing to nurture and mentor them.

Q. How did you get into the trade?

My entry into the trade has been almost two different times, first as a young 16-year-old itching to get away from school and the classic frustration of a hands-on kid in a theoretical world. Having automotive as an interest, I door-knocked at panel and paint shops until I got my opportunity at a top-end paint shop in Hamilton.
Secondly, a couple of years ago, when I was busy in a completely different trade, I took on a restomod job for a client, which reignited my interest in the trade and sparked a hunger to learn about the panel side. A friend gave me a link to Jeff at Hamilton Panel Works, and I grasped the opportunity to learn panel beating with both hands.

Q. What has been your favourite job that you have completed at work so far?

I really enjoy the challenge of a big job or a technical job almost beyond my capabilities, that's where I grow the most and utilise the knowledge of the people around me. Hand-making half-door skins for a 1963 Buick Invicta or replacing a rear quarter and inner wheel tub on a 2020 Kia Carnival are a couple of my favourite jobs so far.

Q. What interests do you have outside of work?

Having three children at home has changed my interests somewhat to cater to what we can all do together, so these days you'll find me down the back of our lifestyle block, hand-rearing animals with the kids, or out at the beach in an old Oxford caravan that we recently finished restoring.

Q. What advice would you give to a young person looking to join the trade?

My advice to a younger person looking to join this trade is that it is a huge, growing industry with so much opportunity. If you think with your hands, it is a perfect job for refining your skills. The job satisfaction is incredible when you can stand back and look at a finished vehicle, knowing you did it.

Q. What does it mean to you to have won the Golden Hammer 2025 award?

Receiving the Golden Hammer award in Melbourne this year was just awesome. For me, it cemented the idea that if you keep pushing and pursuing your goals in an industry, opportunities are there, and many people are willing to help make them possible. I know there are many apprentices who don't consider competing for these awards, but I would encourage you to try it. The journey it takes you on could change your future and create opportunities you didn't think were possible.I would like to once again thank Mito and Hamilton Panel Works, the CRA and PartsTrader for making Melbourne possible.

26/08/2026

Work Place Bullying.
When is Enough Enough?

It seems timeless. You talk to people on the shop floor and everyone has a story of being bullied, mocked, or “pranked” as an apprentice. For some, it was a one-off joke. For others, it became part of their daily working life.

So when does light-hearted banter cross the line? And why does our industry often seem to have the attitude of “deal with it” and “harden up”?

A post was made recently on another panel industry page, and the comments, many made by people with weird flower/animal names that sound like nineties cocktails or vendor stuffed animals, were outrageous, brutal, and downright sad. Yet the opinions expressed were very real. And this is a huge concern for us in the collision repair industry.

But what was perhaps most concerning about this thread, wasn’t the criticism and name-calling (not denying that it wasn’t truly awful), it was how many people appeared to view personal attacks and humiliation as a perfectly acceptable way to communicate.

Our industry is constantly facing pressure from new technology, rapidly changing repair methods, insurance requirements and takeovers, and skills shortages. As a result of this onslaught of changes, we spend a lot of time talking about the industries skills shortage. We talk about the need to attract young people into the trades. We talk about bringing more women into workshops, creating career pathways, and encouraging diversity.

But if one looks at the way we sometimes treat each other online and on the shop floor, what message are we really sending? Would you encourage your daughter or son to enter an industry where being belittled is considered a rite of passage? Would you tell them that enduring daily criticism, insults, or exclusion is simply part of becoming qualified? It’s not a good look is it?

Many workshops have moved beyond this outdated thinking. They have built environments where apprentices are taught instead of mocked, where mistakes are learning opportunities rather than ammunition for ridicule, and where respect is expected regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or experience level. These businesses deserve recognition.

But perhaps the bigger question is: why should they be exceptional?

Shouldn’t professionalism, respect, and basic decency in the work place be the standard?

The reality is that the world has changed. Today’s apprentices come from different backgrounds, different cultures, and different life experiences. Many young people entering the workforce are looking for workplaces that are supportive, inclusive, and focused on skills development. They are not expecting special treatment, they simply expect to be treated with respect. To be part of a workplace with fun banter can only be positive. But when that light-hearted banter leaves the room, and is replace by racial, sexist, cruel commentary designed to mock and undermine, then these workplaces are no longer good environments to be in. For anyone. Least of all those on the receiving end.

Some people see this shift and complain that younger generations are ‘too sensitive’, ‘snowflakes’ or ‘woke’ (what does that even mean?) But perhaps they are simply less willing to tolerate the behaviour that previous generations felt forced to accept. And really, why should they accept it?

For decades, the trades have attracted people who take pride in being tough, practical, and resilient. There is nothing wrong with that. The problem occurs when toughness becomes confused with cruelty, and resilience becomes an excuse for poor behaviour.
Being a good collision repairer is about skill, knowledge, problem-solving, attention to detail, and teamwork. None of those qualities require bullying.

If you look around, some of the strongest leaders in our industry are those who can mentor others, build confidence, and create workplaces where people want to stay. And we try to highlight those people and workplaces with our annual CRA awards. Because
these are the people that our industry needs more of. These people lead by example, and it is these examples that more in our industry should be looking to model themselves on.

The future of the collision repair industry will not be determined solely by technology and training, it will also be determined by workplace culture.

If we want more apprentices, if we want more women in the trade, if we want to retain skilled staff and attract the next generation, then we need to ask ourselves an uncomfortable question: Are we creating workplaces that people genuinely want to be part of?
Because “that’s how it’s always been” is no longer good enough.
And perhaps it never was.

And what about those skilled people who are quietly leaving? Not everyone who leaves the industry does so because of money, workload, or opportunity. Sometimes people leave because they are simply tired. Tired of the negativity. Tired of walking into workplaces where respect is optional. Every time we lose a good person because of the culture of the shop, the industry loses knowledge, experience, and potential leadership.Maybe it’s time we stopped viewing bullying as a sign of strength. And maybe it’s time we stopped turning a blind eye to it.

After all, what does it really say about a person if they need to ridicule an apprentice, belittle a co-worker, or publicly humiliate someone to make themselves feel important?

The strongest people on any shop floor are rarely the loudest or most intimidating. They are often the ones who take a struggling apprentice under their wing, explain a process to a workmate without making someone feel stupid, and create an environment where people aren’t afraid to ask questions and learn.

Bullying is not a demonstration of strength. More often, it is a demonstration of insecurity. And perhaps the most successful workshops of the future will be those that recognise the difference between the two.

And let’s not forget online bullying. Perhaps one of the most disappointing aspects of modern bullying is how often it now occurs online.

While on the shop floor, people have to own their words. They have to look someone in the eye. Online, however, it has become increasingly common for people to hide behind anonymous profiles and fake candy names, while launching personal attacks on complete strangers.There seems to be a belief that if something is written on a screen rather than spoken aloud, somehow it matters less.

But the person reading it is still real.

They still go home at the end of the day. They still have families, insecurities, pressures, and struggles that nobody else can see.

What might be a throw-away comment for one person can stay with another for days, weeks, or even years.

The reality is that we never truly know what someone else is carrying. The apprentice you mocked online may already be questioning whether they’re good enough. The business owner you publicly ridiculed may already be under enormous financial pressure. The industry member you piled onto may already be struggling with their mental health.

Yet online discussions often become a competition to see who can deliver the sharpest insult or the most brutal put-down. When if we are going to be real about it, these comments add up to nothing more than a gaping lack of emotional intelligence.

That isn’t strength. And it certainly isn’t professionalism.

Many people imagine bullying causes harm only when it is extreme. In reality, it is often the accumulation of small things. Constant sarcastic comments, public ridicule, exclusion in the lunchroom, refusing to address someone by their actual name, the constant criticism. It all, over time, wears someone down. Most people can handle one bad day. It’s when the negativity becomes relentless that it can start affecting your confidence, your mental health, and your sense of belonging. And in the workshop, bullying often isn’t a single dramatic event. It’s often, sadly, death by a thousand cuts.

It is easy to be brave when hiding behind a keyboard.The real test of character is whether we would still say those same words if the person was standing directly in front of us. And, if we would say those same words, then it’s time to take a good, long look at ourselves, and question why.

Because the reality, is New Zealand continues to lose far too many people to su***de each year. Behind every statistic is a family, a friend, a workmate, or a member of our community whose loss leaves a tragic, lasting impact.

So the next time you start to type a derogatory remark on someone’s post, hiding behind a pink pineapple profile, or call out mockingly to someone across the lunchroom, just for laughs. Stop and think.

Are you really being funny? Or are you just trying to pull someone down. To make yourself feel better. And if that is the reason, do the work on yourself. And do better. Because at the moment, it’s you who doesn’t belong.

This article featured in our recent July/August issue of Paneltalk. If you want to read this, or any other article online, please head on over to our website 🔗https://paneltalk.co.nz/issues/
Here you can also view all our past issues dating back to 2015 🙂

25/08/2026

The Ranfurly Shield is heading north! 🏆


For the first time since 1978, Northland have won the famed Log of Wood, defeating Canterbury 36–12 in Christchurch!

On behalf of the Northland CRA Association, I thought we’d better share the good news with you all. We have some very passionate rugby supporters across the CRA branches, so I’m sure this result will get a few reactions!

Our Chairman is Waikato through and through, while some of the NX support other teams plus others have strong Canterbury connections — including a past Chairman who hails from the region where the Shield was lost last night. Needless to say, there may be a few interesting conversations happening today!

Northland has apparently now been granted another day off from 2027 — officially known as “The Day We Won the Ranfurly Shield.” 😂

And, if — and that’s a BIG IF — we can hold on to the Shield this year, I’ll make sure it’s on display at the 2027 Conference, right beside our Chairman!

Next up: Tasman.

Although, at this rate, we may need to make sure we can actually field a team after these celebrations… they could go on all week! 🍻

Carl and the Northland branch

22/08/2026

Hi everyone,

The CRA 6 is sent to CRA members every week, covering 6 key things happening in the CRA or of interest to those involved in Collision Repair, taking 1-2 minutes to read.

Week beginning: 17th of August 2026

1. Adrienne Joynt: 25 Years, a quarter of a century, 219,000 hours, or 13,140,000 minutes of service to CRA and I-CAR. That’s the legacy Adrienne Joynt leaves us today, on her last day of work for CRA & I-CAR.
As the contact over the years for any project, problem, or issue members encountered, Adrienne has made a difference to the business of members over the years as an integral part of the NZ Collision repair industry.
The CRA and I-CAR wish Adrienne all the best for her future life outside collision repair.
Adrienne will attend the Remuera Roadshow on September 2, which will provide an opportunity for members to say goodbye and for the CRA & I-CAR to publicly recognise Adrienne’s contribution.

2. NZ Population:

As of 30 June 2026:
The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 5,357,300
there were 2,699,500 females (50.4%) and 2,657,800 males (49.6%)
The median age of females and males was 39.3 and 37.8 years, respectively. (although females insist it's 29.5 years!)
In the year ending June 2026:
New Zealand’s population grew by 36,400 (0.7 percent)
Estimated natural increase (births minus deaths) was 18,700 (52 percent of total growth)
Estimated natural increase was the lowest increase since the early 1940s, during World War II


3. Future NZ car market:

Hybrids, EV, and Plug in Hybrids were 48% of the total value of all NZ passenger vehicle imports in the year ending June 30, 2026.
Japan remained the main source of hybrid vehicles, accounting for 63% of imports, while China supplied 73% of New Zealand’s fully electric vehicles.
There are now 29 Chinese vehicle brands represented in New Zealand, including BYD, Chery, Dongfeng, Geely, GWM, Leapmotor and Zeekr. The change in the market has been rapid over the last two years and is a fundamental change in global vehicle production.

4. Eco2Green

The plastic bumper recycling program has reached 50 businesses now supplying bumpers for eventual combustion at the Northland Golden Bay cement kiln.
Collections have recently started from collision repairers in Christchurch; these are being rolled into bales for transport to the Northland kiln. These programs rely on momentum to get started; once numbers start to increase, costs start to reduce while operational efficiencies increase.


5. The government announced that 9 new subjects will be added to the Year 12 -13 school curriculum from 2029.
The subjects are:
Next-Gen Manufacturing
Applied Intelligent Systems
Construction and Built Environment
Energy and Infrastructure
Engineering Technology
Food and Fibre Systems
Health Services and Care
Hospitality Food and Beverage
Tourism
These are industry-led subjects designed to help develop practical, relevant skills and to allow exploration of emerging career opportunities. The Engineering Technology subject includes Automotive, which includes collision repair.


6. CRA Roadshows are starting in September

Having just attended two of the MTA roadshows, they highlight how valuable a source of information from roadshows is.
Not only the presentations, but the people in the room from all different areas who are sources of valuable information or contacts. We want to hear from you what it is you want to hear, so attend and share your thoughts. Change is happening so quickly; it’s important to have credible sources of information that help business owners. Without up-to-date, accurate information, poor decisions mean your business pays the costs involved.


To end:

Dad's one-liners 👏👏👏🤡


How do trees get on the internet? They log in.

What do you call a prisoner taking their own mugshot? A cellfie.

Why did the boss ignore his assistant's suggestion on Zoom? It was a mute point.

What do you call a doctor who fixes websites? A URL-ologist.

Me: Doctor, you’ve got to help me! I’m addicted to social media. Doctor: I don’t follow you.

What is an astronaut's favourite control on a keyboard? The space bar.

What do you call a web-conferencing meeting of pirates? A webin-arrgh.

Why did the chicken go to the séance? To get to the other side.

What did the duck say to the waiter after eating dinner? Just put it on my bill.

A termite walks into a bar and asks... "Is the bartender here?"

A man walks into a library and asks where the books on paranoia are. The librarian replies, “Look over your shoulder.”

20/08/2026

We love a good story, and people doing great things in our community, and this is a great Friday feel-good story to start the weekend 👏👏👏

Steve from Moselle Panel & Paint won a trade auction for a Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar GIANT mellow puff. I mean, for a start, who wouldn't bid on a mellow puff this size right?
The proceeds of this auction going towards scholarships for deserving Kiwis - an initiative set up by Moustache owner Deanna.
Watch the video to find out what happens when Deanna delivers Steve's marshmellow and a half! :)
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1736776787566965

14/08/2026

'If you undertake the duty to repair a product, you have a duty to repair it safely.”

An interesting article from FenderBender on ADAS Liability, and what we as repairers, need to know.

Collision repairers face growing exposure related to advanced driver assistance systems, but documentation, training, and proper procedures can go a long way toward reducing risk. Rebekah Cooper of The Cooper Firm and Sean Preston, founder and managing attorney of Coverall Law, provide insights into the risks collision repairers face and how they can help mitigate it.
Click the link in the comments to read the article.

14/08/2026