Training Course Instructors
To contribute to complete, safe and quality collision repairs, I‑CAR aims to bring training and knowledge to everyone in the industry.
Such a lofty goal would not be possible without dedicated instructors and volunteers on I‑CAR’s front lines.
This I‑CAR community is united by the urgency of its work that ultimately helps keep consumers safe. Undaunted by the size of I‑CAR’s mission, it steadily whittles away at the enormity of ‘every’ day after day. I‑CAR instructors travel far and wide to train technicians who face increasingly complex repairs due to rapid technological advancements. I‑CAR volunteers promote I‑CAR curriculum to technical schools and work tirelessly to spread the word about I‑CAR’s training solutions, one shop at a time – and there are thousands of body shops not currently doing training.
Teaching for I‑CAR, volunteering for I‑CAR, and in some cases, doing both, becomes a way of life. We invite you to learn more. Because we can’t reach ‘everyone’ without a lot of help, and we welcome yours.
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, with one of my sons, whilst the other resides in Wellington. I have a real passion for mentoring and supporting young people through apprenticeships, having been involved with literally thousands over the last 30 or so years. Many of these have progressed to become successful business owners, World Skills winners, and CRA Apprentice of the Year.
I am enjoying the challenge of my present I-CAR NZ role as Operations Manager, whilst also being Managing Director of Smart Trade Solutions Ltd and Director of a number of other training related businesses. In addition, I provide support for the CRA apprentices National Scholarship recipients. My other role as an Instructor and Weld tester with I-CAR NZ really feeds my other passion of lifelong learning and always seeking more knowledge to continually improve on everything I do. Away from work, and my interests include reading, practising martial arts, gym/fitness, soccer, and building things!
Jerry Kendrew
Jerry’s bio to come.
Marty Lane
Canterbury born and raised and happily parochial, my time as an I –Car instructor has been an ongoing character building experience that has enabled me to see so much of regional New Zealand. I have been involved in the auto body industry for more than 38 years as an auto body technician – and have previously been a panel shop owner, shop manager, part time and full time tutor with both CPIT and SIT institutes and a motor assessor for two insurers. I have also had the honour to have been engaged in the writing of a unit standard in the MITO A-Tech programme several years ago. My wife and I returned to New Zealand earlier this year from a 12 month career challenge in Melbourne, where I was engaged as a technical specialist with a multi-national claim services and loss adjusters company. Based on the experiences and industry expertise gained, we have created a small business enterprise that specializes in on-job apprenticeship and staff training, estimating and technical reporting. My pastimes/ hobbies / interests include motorcycling racing, cycling, tennis and the design and fabrication of components in composites, metals and fibreglass. Between us, we have four grown up children and an ongoing desire to see as much of the world as possible. I am extremely pleased to be able to continue my involvement with I- Car and stay aboard the roller coaster ride that epitomizes the industry today and into the future.
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 ‘Drivus’ 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 37 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 occasionally 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 is 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.
Welding Administrators
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.
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 an I-Car welding test supervisor for over 20 years I have tested a lot of repairers multiple times. This has given me the opportunity to observe many young men and women of quality as they have progressed through our industry and established themselves in numerous important roles within our trade. It is an unexpected bonus for me to have been able to continuously observe this progression. 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 after I had completed it I worked overseas and have 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 2 granddaughters.
Aaron Hogg
I started my time in the panel industry in 1987 at Lynn Larsen Panelbeating in Wanganui. After completing my apprenticeship, I did the usual OE to London/Europe and returned to New Zealand. I worked in various other shops in my hometown, to later return to my original employer and eventually buying the business in 2008.
Having been involved with the CRA as Branch Chairperson and then National Executive representative for the Wanganui/Manawatu/New Plymouth area, my role has moved to the Membership Liaison Officer for the Wellington district. I am also the I-CAR NZ Technical Support person and an I-CAR NZ Welding Instructor.
Since selling our business in 2022, I enjoy spending my spare time riding adventure motorcycles around New Zealand and overseas whenever possible, along with spending time with friends and family.
Paul Butland
I started in the trade as a panelbeater at 15yrs old, eventually going on to run my own shop for 20 years. This led me to participate with the CRA as a member and part of the local branch. Based in Christchurch and still in the trade (old habits die hard!) I enjoy splitting my time between rebuilding vehicles, conducting i-car welding tests and fishing. With a love of the outdoors, hunting, mountain biking and travelling, roaming the South Island to conduct welding tests is almost the perfect job!
Rick Lunn