New Zealand Collision Repair Association

10/06/2026

A great turnout at last nights Christchurch Roadshow! Thanks everyone who attended 👌

05/06/2026

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: 1st of June 2026

1. Future Trend
•A report estimates the global Collision Repair Market was valued at USD 209 billion in 2025 growing to USD 268 billion in 2035.
•There are 1.4 billion cars on the world's roads.
•The outlook is for:
- increasing insurance pe*******on for collision coverage,
- increasing vehicle complexity requiring specialized repair services,
- accelerating adoption of advanced repair technologies such as ADAS,
- use of high-strength composite materials
- AI-driven cost estimation.


2. Future Trend

BASF Coatings is increasing its role in robotics-enabled Automotive Refinish by combining coatings expertise, digital colour management, and application process know-how. In collaboration with OEMs and automation partners, BASK aims to help shape the future of automated paint application in body shops. It won’t manufacture robotic sprayers in favour of using its experience in repair processes, connected digital workflows to provide robotics-enabled solutions for more consistent, scalable, and future-ready repair operations.

3. New Zealand’s insurance sector will pay a portion of the Reserve Bank’s regulatory costs under a new prudential levy announced in Budget 2026, shifting supervision funding away from taxpayers and on to the entities the Reserve Bank oversees. It is consistent with how other New Zealand regulators already operate and with international practice in comparable markets. The levy will apply across banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers, and financial market infrastructure providers. The levy will ensure the cost of regulation and supervision is borne by financial market players rather than taxpayers.

4. Change of owner:
DBNZ Coatings has been bought by Sherwin Williams (the world’s largest paint company), which has had a close relationship with DBNZ for 27 years.
Despite the name change it is business as usual, with Dean Adamson staying on in transitional and projects roles.
Dean will also continue his industry involvement currently he is a director of I-CAR NZ and has been a long-time supporter and sponsor of the CRA.


5. Positive news
NZ exports in April 2026 were 12% up on April 2025. April 2026 exports were $8.6 billion, 4 commodity groups made up 74% of the increase.
These were meat (up $272 million), gold (up $155 million), milk powder, butter, and cheese (up $148 million), and crude oil (up $120 million)


6. The 2026 budget confirmed the end of the University fees-free policy and distributed some of those funds to nearly double the number of places in secondary school Trades Academies to 20,000 by 2030. 75% of NZers now believe a specialised trade offers better long-term job security and stability than a corporate-focused university degree. Seven in ten adults now say they are more likely to encourage a young person into a trade than they were five years ago.
A 2025 OECD report on New Zealand showed that tertiary-educated adults between the ages of 25 and 64 tend to earn 32% more than those with only upper secondary education. The reason for this is that the median income for degree holders increases steadily and overtakes that of those working in the trades in most instances.
AI tools are affecting how work is done, particularly routine tasks, but they do not replace core skills like judgement, ethics, client relationships, and advocacy. The insecurity AI presents to white collar jobs is encouraging people towards skilled trade careers, along with the high cost of student loans at completion of a degree, compared to being paid as you learn (as in a trade qualification).

To End 🤣
Returned by popular request:

Below are four (4) questions and a bonus question. You answer them instantly, you can't take your time answer all of them immediately.

First Question:

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

Answer: If you answered that you are first, then you are wrong!
If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!

Second Question:
If you overtake the last person, then you are...?

Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST person?

Third Question:
This must be done in your head only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20! Now add another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total?

Scroll down for answer....

Did you get 5000?

The correct answer is 4100. If you don't believe it, check it with a calculator!

Fourth Question:
Mary's father has five daughters:
1. Nana
2. Nene
3. Nini,
4. Nono.
What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Did you Answer Nunu?

NO! Of course it isn't. Her name is Mary. Read the question again!

Now the bonus round:
A person unable to speak, goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done. Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does he indicate what he wants?

He just has to open his mouth and asks...

01/06/2026

Hope everyone has had a relaxing 3-day King's Birthday weekend! 🎉

01/06/2026

‼️REMINDER CRA BRANCH ROADSHOWS‼️

Hi Everyone,

Please provide the names of those who are attending from your company, and if you want a text reminder, then include your mobile number.

The CRA Roadshow is open to all CRA members, and there is no charge to attend, but you do need to register (see button below).

A lot has happened in 2026. The Roadshow will help you catch up with other members while keeping up to date on what matters to collision repairers and knock off a couple of C-CAR points.

At the conclusion of each session, there will be an opportunity to socialise – finger food will be provided, and a cash bar will be available..........................................................................................................

Week 1 🚗🚙🛻🚛

📍Manawatu/Whanganui/Taranaki
Monday, 08th of June, Distinction Coachman, 140 Fitzherbert Avenue, West End, Palmerston North at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Tuesday, the 2nd of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Wellington
Tuesday, 09th of June, Angus Inn Hotel Ltd., 5 Cornwall Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt, Wellington at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Tuesday, the 2nd of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Canterbury / Westland Branch
Wednesday, 10th of June, Addington Raceway & Events Centre, 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Wednesday, the 3rd of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Otago / Southland
Thursday, 11th of June, Rosebank Lodge Motor Hotel, 265 Clyde Street, Balclutha at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Thursday, the 04th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent..........................................................................................................

Week 2 🚗🚙🛻🚛

📍Northland (Whangarei)
Monday, 15th of June, Northland Cricket Association, 79 Okara Drive, Whangarei at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Monday, the 8th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Auckland(Manukau)
Tuesday, 16th of June, JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport, 63 Westney Road, Mangere, Auckland at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Tuesday, the 9th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Hawkes Bay
Wednesday, 17th of June, The Crown Hotel, Cnr Bridge Street & Hardinge Road, Ahuriri, Napier at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Wednesday, the 10th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

📍Central North Island
Thursday, 18th of June, St. Andrews of Hamilton Golf Club,
64 Saint Andrews Terrace, St. Andrews, Hamilton, at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Thursday, the 11th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent..........................................................................................................

Week 3 🚗🚙🛻🚛

📍Auckland(Remuera)
Tuesday 23rd of June, The Remuera Club, 27-33 Ohinerau Street, Remuera, Auckland at 5.30 pm

This Roadshow will run for approximately 2 hours.

Please register before Tuesday, the 16th of June by contacting the CRA National Office on 07-8470216 or emailing [email protected] or by clicking on this link http://www.collisionrepair.co.nz/event-schedule.

Please include your mobile phone number, as a text reminder will be sent.

30/05/2026

And here it is 🎉
Our CRA Apprentice of the Year 2025 video featuring our two award winners -
🏆2025 Golden Hammer winner, Justin Williamson from Hamilton Panelworks.
🏆2025 Golden Gun winner, Ervin Hernandez (Ejay) from Fleet Image Te Awamutu.
You will also see the other finalists who competed for the Golden Hammer and Golden Gun.
The standard was so high, and we are so proud of all those who competed!
A massive congratulations to both Justin and Ejay. We can't wait to see what this year brings you 👏👏👏

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

29/05/2026

Iran-US War and the squeeze from every drop of missing oil.

With the early summer months of 2026 showing some much-needed signs of a lift in work levels and a better economic outlook, the war in Iran, started by the US and Israel on February 28th, has stopped any progress in its tracks and deeply muddied the waters for the collision repair industry in New Zealand.

At the time of writing, a ceasefire was in place indefinitely, but the Strait of Hormuz was subject to a bizarre double blockade; it is this pinch point, which is blocking freedom of navigation, that has the world under pressure, and even more so New Zealand. It is times like these where our isolation can be a negative, being at the end of the supply chain.

Watching and listening to the ridiculous rhetoric and blustering brinkmanship from both sides is a horror show. What can we do to change the crazy versus crazy nature of this conflict? Nothing. We can only control what we can control, and a focus on this is imperative.

Our industry is facing a dilemma: we are being squeezed in a vice, with businesses firmly wedged between reduced claims and less available work, and increased costs to complete the work that is done. Reports show a 10% drop in fuel volume use, coupled with the financial pressure of rising fuel prices on the motoring public, are the factors that will lead to a reduction in claims and jobs that will take a long time to correct. The other side of this ever-tightening vice is the increase in both materials and production costs directly related to the current situation.

After checking with several paint importers and suppliers,they all confirmed that price increases had been communicated to them by their major global suppliers. With so many of our industry inputs derived from oil, we stand to be greatly affected by the wide-ranging impacts of this crisis.

Remember, if you are going to seek relief for these increases, both the Commerce Commission and the Government have set out clear guidelines for doing so. Before adding any additional items, it will be vital to discuss them with your work provider or the final bill payer. Does your contract include a provision that allows you to do so? Following the lead of the Minister of Finance, The Honourable Nicola Willis, any claims should be targeted, timely and temporary.

If you have been told that a specific material you use will have a price increase directly related to the fuel crisis, and that the price may be adjusted down again, any compensation requested must be targeted to that material, evidence-based, and accurate. Timeliness is paramount to your business’s viability; act quickly. The temporary element means that if the price of this item drops, you must adjust your price accordingly.

It is the business owner's role to know their numbers and determine how much any additional costs may be adding to their input costs. Once you have established this, you must then work with the final bill payer. In the collision repair industry, this is predominantly the insurance companies. It would be unfair for the insurance companies to expect repairers to absorb these costs. Although they also can’t pass on costs, as their premiums are usually 6–12-month fixed prices, if claims are down, this may reduce their claims costs.

Being accurate and realistic in your discussions will have a large bearing on a possible positive outcome. If you put your hand out for more money, you need to explain and demonstrate the need for the increase.

Using a couple of basic examples can help break the numbers down to a more understandable level.

A $1000 in panel labour attracts 5% or $50 in materials. A 1% increase in materials recoveries would increase the payment to 6% or $60, resulting in a 20% increase in your materials recovery payment.

Paint materials can be broken down using the often-quoted industry average of 25%, comprising 20% wet and 5% dry. For a $1000 paint job, this would equate to $250 worth of wet and dry materials. A simple metric to recover extra material in painting costs would be to add 2.5% to the overall cost of $1000; this $25 is a 10% increase in your paint material recovery, and an additional 5% would be a 20% increase.

Both of these calculations are just ideas; the simplicity
of them is that you are not asking for any additional labour, just an additional payment directly related to material costs.

Production costs to complete the finished job are another factor that needs to be closely monitored. The most glaring and immediate increase in cost has been the diesel-heated booth operating costs. This cost has doubled, with a tank now costing $2000 to fill, up from $1000 in February. Knowing how many booth cycles, on average, a tank produces will give you the extra cost you are now paying.

In a perfect world, this situation will correct itself sooner rather than later, and the possible damage to your business will be minimal and something we can put behind us quickly. But until that happens, you must be vigilant about your costs and act in response to changes.

This article features in our May/June issue of PanelTalk.
To read this, and our other articles, head over to paneltalk.co.nz to view the magazine online.

29/05/2026

Hi everyone,

The CRA 6 this week changes its format to cover brief summaries of key points from presentations made at the 2026 CRA Conference.

Week beginning: 25th May 2026

🔺 CRA Conference attendance Statistics:

Number of CRA shops attending Conference.
2023 50%, 2024 42% ,2025 52%, 2026 65%

On average since 2016 around 50% of CRA members attend conference.

Average number people attending since 2021 = 270
.....................................................................

PRESENTATION SUMMARIES BY SPEAKER

🔺 ADAPT, ALIGN, EXIT Jason Trewin CEO I-CAR Australia.
Industry restructuring and key drivers
• Escalating vehicle complexity and repair implications
• Repair planning evolution
• Financial and operational impact of complexity
• Industry Capacity versus Capability
• Emerging challenges: EVs, ADAS, Vehicle modularity

🔺 Threats & opportunities for Australian Collision Repairers: - Sam Street Australian Panel & Paint editor.
•Robots & Artificial Intelligence.
•Australian Code of Conduct between repairers and Insurers
•Skills shortages
•Rise of MSO (multi-site operators) & corporate repair groups.

🔺 The Asia Pacific Shift: Brent Wallace & Tian Ye from BASF
•144 vehicle manufactures in China today; some estimate about 15 to survive by 2030.
•Chinese manufacturers focus on make & sell, secondary concern is on parts and vehicle support.
•Chinese vehicle growth in A&NZ markets rapid and is likely to dominate total sales soon.
•Each manufacturer has a clearly defined niche in market they serve.

🔺 The Difference between running a business and operating a body shop – Robert Snook European industry consultant
• Summary: are you a changemaker, changewatcher,
changevictim.
Put another way:
1: Those that are making it happen
2: Those that are watching it happen
3: Those that wonder what the hell is happening.
•83% of Body shop owners and managers have no formal qualifications for the job.
•Consolidation: compared with other industries Body shops have a lot more to come (we are at stage 2 of a 4-stage process)

🔺 Don’t shut the bonnet on it – Ben Chesterfield Car Craft Queensland.
•A mental health awareness program featuring loud shirts that support TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter).
•Linked to free mental health counselling for collision repair workers.
•An excellent initiative with powerful stories on how much this sort of program is needed.

🔺 Staying in the Driver’s seat – Right to repair, ADAS and the future: Lesley Yates AAAA Regulatory Manager.
•Right to repair legislation in Australia, recently updated and strengthened.
•Lesley shared Australian experience with pointers on what NZ should avoid.
•ADAS Industry Code of Conduct – do it before others do it for you.
•ADAS management is a gap governments haven’t been quick enough to fill.

🔺 Driving Future Success – Lee Marshall NZ MTA CEO
•Lee listed benefits CRA/MTA offer members, including:
60 dispute mediations, 160 HR cases, 30 over 4 hours, approx. $32,000 value.
•Driver licensing is still as popular as ever with young NZers.
•Vehicle Fleet expectation in 2035 will be 14%EV, 43% petrol, 6% diesel and 30% hybrid petrol.
•3 trends in vehicle market:
Tech ↑ = Crash ↓ + Repair cost ↑
Parts cost ↑ + replacement ↓ = write off ↑
Complexity ↑ = OEM info need ↑


To end 🤣

A little boy had just started school. He was doing so well his grandfather took him to the zoo to celebrate.

As they stopped at each enclosure the Grandfather asked the boy, "What's this?" It's a proud lion," the boy replied.

That's good," said Grandfather. "And what's this in the next one?" "It's a mean tiger" replied the boy.

"Well done," said Grandfather "you're so clever. And what's the big one over there?"

"It's a fricking elephant." Said the boy gleefully.
"What did you say," queried the Grandfather? "A fricking elephant," he repeated.

"And where on earth did you learn that from?" asked Grandfather sternly.

"Over there on the sign, he replied pointing, A-f-r-i-can Elephant.

28/05/2026

Our latest issue of PanelTalk is now online, and the magazine itself is hot off the printing press and will be in your hands soon.

The May/June issue was produced while our CRA Conference was happening in Melbourne, so this issue doesn't feature our conference wrap-up and award winners. That happens in our next issue. But it's worth the wait :)

In this current issue you get the chance to meet your 2026 CRA National Executive team from around the country, meet the incredibly interesting Dale Robertson and see what he gets up to in his spare time, and get the low-down on the Iran War.

It's a jam packed issue so pour yourself a coffee and head on over to https://paneltalk.partica.online/paneltalk/panel-talk-mayjune-2026/flipbook/1/

21/05/2026

A huge congratulations to both Warren Flowerday and Verna Niao who were awarded the Chairman's Special Award for their incredible contributions in helping return MITO Ltd to industry ownership at the Awards Dinner in Melbourne. 👏👏👏

At the New Zealand Collision Repair Association (CRA) Awards in Melbourne, MITO Deputy Chair Warren Flowerday and Chief Executive Verna Niao were honoured with Chairman’s Awards.

🗣 “Both Warren and Verna have always seen the bigger picture and have worked to move our industry forward. They were instrumental in returning the organisation back into industry ownership, which is a tremendous achievement and a great win for our industry.”—CRA Chair Jeff Robson

Read more about the recognition and what it means for industry: https://www.mito.org.nz/about/articles-events/cra-honours

📸 L-R: Jeff Robson, Scott Wiseman (CRA National Executive Member, Manawatu / Whanganui / Taranaki), Warren Flowerday, Verna Niao, Ben Thomas (Editor, PanelTalk).

20/05/2026

Photo dump part 2 :)