Training Course Instructors
Rick Lunn
My passion for Collision Repair training began with the start of my apprenticeship in the mid 1980’s in the UK, where I became qualified in both Collision Repair and Refinishing – going on to attain an advanced qualification in Collision Repair. I worked for both Toyota and VW/Audi before managing a large Volvo Collision Repair facility in Nottingham, England. I emigrated to NZ in 1996 with my wife, where we settled in Whangarei and continue to reside in the beautiful north. In 1997 I began teaching a Collision Repair course for a local training provider before going on to manage a very successful team of apprentice coordinators, supporting and mentoring young people across a number of trades.
I have a real passion for helping young people through apprenticeships, having been involved with literally thousands over the last 20 or so years. Many of these have progressed to become successful business owners, World Skills winners and Apprentice of the Year. At present I run my own company, Smart Trades 2017 mentoring and support of young people in the trades, not least Collision Repair. We provide training and support for local businesses and their employees.
I am a MITO Registered Assessor and also have a part time role in the Automotive Department at Northtec in Whangarei. In addition I provide support for the CRA National Scholarship recipients as well as a number of Northland and Auckland apprentices. My role as an Instructor and Weld tester with I-CAR NZ really feeds my other passion for lifelong learning and always seeking more knowledge to continually improve on everything I do.
I am married with two Kiwi boys, and my interests include new vehicle technology, teaching, working with young people, martial arts, gym/fitness, soccer, hockey and building things!
Andy Trumper
I have been in the Collision Repair industry since I left school in the late 80s. I started my apprenticeship in North Canterbury and moved to Christchurch after 3 years to complete my final year. I was successful in gaining my A Grade and Trade Certificate in Panelbeating and Trade Certificate in Automotive Refinishing. After being involved in a Motorbike accident I changed my career path in 1999 and joined the education sector, 7 years at the Southern Institute of Technology in Christchurch and then 8 years at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. I have also completed my Adult Teaching Certificate and am now working towards my Diploma in adult teaching.
I am now the South Island Territory Manager for ABE (Auto Body Equipment Ltd).
My spare time is spent with my 2 children or out on my Mountain bike enjoying this countries wonderful trails. Working with I-CAR NZ would have to be one of the highlights of my continuing career, I look forward to learning about new and exciting technology and having the opportunity to pass that experience on to others.
Wayne Houghton
Based in Christchurch I am the joint owner of a large collision repair business, and I also work as an industry consultant managing the Axalta Coating Systems ‘Axalta Services’ programme for New Zealand. This role has me working alongside Standox, Cromax and Spies Hecker end users, helping them navigate the challenges of the industry and to achieve their business goals. I started out in a small suburban panel shop as an apprentice panelbeater in the early 80’s and went on to owning that business 7 years later.
I have been heavily involved with both the CRA and I-CAR for many years, serving as Chairperson for each of the organisations. Throughout this time and after 34 years as a business owner I have seen many changes in vehicle technology and understand the difficulties in keeping pace with the rapid changes in repair requirements. I am passionate about industry education, both technical and management, and enjoy working with businesses and individuals in their drive for continual improvement.
I enjoy keeping fit and I’m a mad keen mountain biker and road cyclist, with any spare time spent out on the local trails or the Christchurch Adventure Park. I also enjoy skiing, golf and riding my horse.
Mike Graham
I’ve been fortunate enough to see the industry evolving since the early 80s when my father owned an automotive collision repair shop. I spent my weekends and school holidays working on cars, which led me on my journey at the young age of 15 to pursue my own career in the automotive industry. At the age of 28 I opened my first shop in Hamilton in the automotive refinishing sector, from there I brought a full automotive collision shop in Hamilton where I learnt, refined, and developed my skills further in business, management, and technical aspects of the collision repair side of the industry.
The experience of owning and running my own shop has given me an understanding of all aspects of the industry and allows me to relate to the current repair shop owners and staff on many different levels which has been very beneficial as I am able to share my experiences and knowledge with my clients.
Currently I work at Auto Body Equipment as the NZ Factory Training Manager where I look after our factory Weilander+Schill training programme along with our factory training through EMD ensuring that their repairer network are kept up to date with the latest factory training.
In June 2023 I spent 5 weeks in Germany completing my TTT for Volkswagen AG group along with the Volkswagen welding qualification and the latest model specific training.
In October 2023 I complete my TTT for professional and work pedagogical knowledge through the German chamber of commerce.
I have a real passion for training and enjoy seeing the growth of knowledge inside our industry and from 2021 I’ve been lucky enough to have been delivering I-CAR training throughout New Zealand and have seen a real sense of demand for quality training inside the automotive industry which I-CAR leads.
Walter Zuber
My passion for this industry started in 1966, the beginning of my 4-year apprenticeship as a Bodybuilder and Crash repairer in a bus building company in Switzerland. The company with approximately 160 staff was building one new aluminium bus a week, several truck decks and accident damaged vehicles. In my last year as an apprentice I represented Switzerland at the Skillex trade competition in Belgium. Besides becoming assistant foreman of 22 staff, I was in charge of running a three-week introduction course for new trainees joining the company yearly, 12 – 15 of them. After compulsory army training, I went abroad to Sweden working solely on VW and Porsche. On my return to Switzerland I met my lovely Kiwi wife and immigrated to this fantastic country in 1975, travelling in a VW combi from Switzerland through the Middle East down to Sri Lanka. We started our own Panel and Paint company in 1977 and over the 29 years grew the staff numbers to 10. During this time, I served on the CRA Central North Island branch and National Executive for several years.
We sold the business in 2006 when I took on the part-time MLO job with the CRA, besides doing I-CAR welding testing in Hawkes Bay and Waikato regions.
I am enjoying giving back some of the experience and techniques gathered over many years in the industry here in New Zealand and overseas. I never regret one moment being in the Collision industry with the ever-interesting changes and challenging tasks this industry offers. Admittedly I have spent some time on the welder to keep the skill level up with Welding, MIG Brazing and especially the Aluminium which requires the practise to get back to the skill level lost since 1966.
Life is a little bit more relaxing in semi-retirement. Nevertheless, I get a lot of pleasure passing on hands-on tricks and hints to the younger generation to improve their skills for a better result and quicker job turn-around.
Welding Administrators
Allan Arnold
I have worked in the collision repair industry since leaving school in 1964. In 2003 I closed my Titahi Bay Panel and Paint shop after 30 years of business. During that time I was an active executive member of the Wellington branch of the CRA. With a special and continuing interest in industry training. As well as supervising I-CAR welding tests, I keep myself busy with short-term panelshop management.
When there is spare time I enjoy fishing in Cook Strait, spending time at the family rural block in the Wairarapa and just enjoying time with my wife and family.
Warren Burns
I have been in the Panel Industry for forty years plus, and been in my own business for the past twenty-two years, recently gaining NZTA Light Certifier approval. I have also served as a Rugby referee actively for thirty years. I enjoy the great outdoors, rugby, fishing, hunting, boating and diving.
Richie Brady
I am a panelbeater by trade and completed my time with Gary Hyde Panelbeaters in Takanini. I spent 13 years as a lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology teaching in the vehicle trades, predominantly panelbeating and welding. Throughout this time I had close contact with the collision repair industry. I am an I-CAR NZ structural weld instructor, this is a role I enjoy as it is a great opportunity to keep in touch with others and advances in the industry. My leisure time is divided between family, fishing and the garden.
Tony Straugheir
I am a panel beater by trade. I started my apprenticeship at 15 and have worked overseas, managed shops, worked as an insurance assessor, and owned my own collision repair business in Wellington for 25 years.
My wife and I now live in the Bay of Plenty and I am still involved in the trade. I am a Membership Liaison Officer for the Collision Repair Association, a job I really enjoy as it gives me the opportunity to meet lots of the good people we have in our industry. My patch includes all of the south Island and a chunk of the central north island.
My wife and I are keen outdoor types and we enjoy fishing, cycling, skiing and pretty much anything that involves getting out and about. We enjoy spending time with family and have 3 kids between us, and 1 grandchild.