Collision Repair Association Conference

Wellington 2025

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The 2025 Collision Repair Association Conference

The 2025 Collision Repair Association Conference will be held at Wellington’s newest meeting space, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May 2025.

This year’s conference promises to be an exciting and dynamic gathering, bringing together experts, thought leaders, and innovators from across the industry to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices shaping the future of collision repair. Whether you’re a business owner, technician, or supplier, you’ll have the opportunity to network with peers, learn from industry leaders, and discover new solutions to enhance your operations.

Additionally, there will be plenty of opportunities to socialise, with two evening events planned: a social event on Friday night and the Awards & Gala Dinner on Saturday.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in the excitement of a shared vision for the future of our industry!

 

Contact Us

Twelve Conferences + Events

Professional Conference Organisers and Event Management

Hayley Larsen

P: +64 27 410 6567

E: events@twelveconferences.nz

Registration

Early Bird registration is now open. Register before 11 April to get the best registration rate. You can register and pay by credit card or select to pay by invoice.

Register now! https://twelve.eventsair.com/cra2025/registration

 

Registration fees

All fees are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and exclude Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15%.

Registration Type Early Bird until 11:59pm

11 April

Standard from 12 April
Member Full Registration $825 + GST $925 + GST
Member Day Registration $300 + GST $350 + GST

 

Definition of a member: A financially current member of the Collision Repair Association (CRA Member and CRA Associate Member).

Registration inclusions

  • Full registration includes entry to all conference sessions, the sponsor space and catering during the conference; Friday Night Social at Brewtown, Upper Hutt and the 2025 CRA Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday 17 May.
  • Day registration includes entry to all conference sessions, the sponsor space and catering on the day of attending; Friday Night Social at Brewtown, Upper Hutt and the 2025 CRA Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday 17 May are not included however tickets can be purchased during registration.

Payment information

Full payment is required 10 working days after you receive the invoice or before the conference opening date, whichever date is earlier. Payments are collected by Twelve Conferences and Events on behalf of Collision Repair Association. If you need to set up Twelve Conferences and Events as a new supplier, please send an email. Credit or debit card payments are processed via a secure gateway. A 3% credit card surcharge is applicable on all credit/debit transactions. Your payment will appear on your credit card statement as a transaction with “Twelve Conferences + Events”.

 

Payment via Capricorn: If you would like to make payment via Capricorn, please email your invoice to erin@collisionrepair.co.nz

 

Refunds, substitutions and cancellations

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please notify the conference organisers by email. Cancellations received up to and including Friday 4 April will receive a refund less a cancellation fee of $100 + GST. Cancellations made from Saturday 5 April are non-refundable or at the discretion of the Collision Repair Association. Registration may be transferred to another person, any applicable fee difference may apply. Please notify the conference organisers by email of the replacement attendee’s name and contact details.

 

Need help registering?

Contact the conference organisers:

Twelve Conferences + Events

Hayley Larsen

P:  +64 (0)27 410 6567

E: ​events@twelveconferences.nz

 

Speakers

Di Foster, Accidental Business Owner, Di Foster Coaching

Di Foster, an accidental business owner with a background in accounting and commerce, started her career at Tamahine Knitwear in Dunedin. Transitioning from management roles in the knitwear and production industry, she became a business consultant for 15 years. Di’s coaching career began naturally amid industry shifts, closures, mergers, and start-ups. Surviving breast cancer twice, she inspires others to live their best lives, blending business acumen with personal resilience. Di believes in perspective shifts, emphasizing that life is too short to sweat the small stuff. She is passionate about helping others pursue their passions and make the most of their time.

James Marris, Director of High Performance, Aurora Zone Coaching

Imagine a world where you no longer spend countless hours fixing your team’s problems but witness a cohesive, self-motivated unit driving your business forward, even in a constantly changing environment. This is the vision James Marris, a high-performance coach and founder of Aurora Zone Coaching, strives to create. With a background in psychology, James fosters psychologically safe environments where teams thrive through positive collaboration. His expertise enhances team dynamics and creates a sense of community, enabling individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. James’s innovative approach and dedication make him a sought-after speaker and coach in organizational development and performance enhancement.

Phil O’Reilly ONZM, Managing Director,  Iron Duke Partners

Phil O’Reilly ONZM is Managing Director of Iron Duke Partners, a Wellington, New Zealand based Public Policy Advisory Firm.

He was previously the Chair of the Board of Business at OECD, based in Paris, which is the representative of businesses in OECD member states and was a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) based in Geneva.  He was also a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

He currently chairs Business at OECDs Southeast Asian Contact Group which is concerned with accession to the OECD by Southeast Asian states and is a member of the OECD Trade Committee.  He has long involvement in the B20 advising G20 leaders.

He has acted in both a governance and advisory capacity to the New Zealand government as well as overseas organisations in areas as diverse as trade, sustainability, diversity, pay equity, manufacturing, child poverty, welfare reform, R&D, innovation, tertiary education, retirement and the future of work.

He was previously Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand’s leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes.

Agenda
The Fun Stuff - Social Events
2025 CRA Awards Gala Dinner – Saturday 17 May

Conference 2025 Programme

FRIDAY 16 MAY

Time What Where
7:30am Registration open Tāwhirimatea Foyer
8:00am – 10:00am I-CAR Training

Course: VT2025 Vehicle Trends 2025 & ADAS updates

Whātaitai
10:00am – 10:30am Morning tea

 

Tāwhirimatea Foyer
10:30am – 10:50am Mihi Whakatau

Conference Opening

MC Opening

Tāwhirimatea Plenary
10:50am – 11:35am Speaker: Gavin McGahey, Planning Plus Software

 

Tāwhirimatea Plenary
11:35am – 11:45am Sponsor session 1 Tāwhirimatea Plenary
11:45am – 12:00pm Group photo
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch Tāwhirimatea Foyer
1:00pm – 1:45pm Speaker: Economist – Phil O’Reilly, Iron Duke Partners Tāwhirimatea Plenary
1:45pm – 1:55pm Sponsor session 2 Tāwhirimatea Plenary
1:55pm – 2:40pm Speaker: James Marris, Director of High Performance, Aurora Zone Coaching Tāwhirimatea Plenary
2:40pm – 3:10pm Afternoon tea Tāwhirimatea Foyer
3:10pm – 4:10pm Bar room chat Various spaces
4:10pm Brief for Friday Night Social and board coaches Tāwhirimatea Plenary
4:20pm Depart for Brewtown
5:30pm Friday Night Social – Activities + Dinner Brewtown Upper Hutt
10:00pm Depart Brewtown – coaches drop off at various locations around Wellington

*Programme is subject to change

SATURDAY 17 MAY

Time What Where
7:30am Registration open Tāwhirimatea Foyer
8:00am – 9:00am Breakfast session

Speaker: Greg Wallace, Master Plumbers

Sponsored by PartsTrader

9:00am – 9:10am Opening Day 2 Tāwhirimatea Plenary
9:10am – 9:20am Sponsor session 3 Tāwhirimatea Plenary
9:20am – 9:50am Guest speaker: Minister Tāwhirimatea Plenary
9:50am – 10:10am Morning tea Tāwhirimatea Foyer
10:10am – 11:10am Speaker: Di Foster, Accidental Business Owner Tāwhirimatea Plenary
11:10am – 11:40am MTA presentations

Lee and/or Sturrock

Tāwhirimatea Plenary
11:40am – 11:50am MITO – Training directions/expectations Tāwhirimatea Plenary
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch Tāwhirimatea Foyer
1:00pm – 1:10pm MC: Te Radar Tāwhirimatea Plenary
1:10pm – 1:20pm Sponsor session 4 Tāwhirimatea Plenary
1:20pm – 2:20pm Regional round up – 8 committees Tāwhirimatea Plenary
2:20pm – 2:30pm Remits, branch matters Tāwhirimatea Plenary
2:30pm –3:00pm Afternoon tea Tāwhirimatea Foyer
3:00pm – 3:30pm AGM Tāwhirimatea Plenary
3:30pm – 3:45pm Conference close Tāwhirimatea Plenary
3:45pm – 6:15pm Delegate free time
6:15pm – 7:00pm Pre-dinner drinks Tāwhirimatea Foyer
7:00pm – 11:30pm 2025 CRA Awards Gala Dinner Tāwhirimatea Plenary

*Programme is subject to change 

 

The Fun Stuff!

Registration includes the Friday Night Social and Gala Awards Dinner.

Friday Night Social – Friday 16 May

 

Join us on Friday, 16th May, for a fun-filled social event at Brewtown, Upper Hutt – home to a number of craft beer breweries! Enjoy the thrill of Go Karts or Ten Pin Bowling at Daytona Adventure Park, or an exclusive tour of the award-winning Boneface Brewery.

For some casual fun, there will be a variety of games in the Greenspace—think table tennis, giant Jenga, pool tables, and cornhole. The Greenspace also boasts a full bar with a fantastic selection of beers, wine, cider, and soft drinks. If you’re after a more laid-back vibe, relax on our comfy couches and picnic benches while soaking up the atmosphere. You can also unwind with a selection of retro board games!

And to top it all off, a delicious buffet dinner will be served, so come hungry!

We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Get ready for an unforgettable night at Tākina as we celebrate in style at the 2025 CRA Awards Gala Dinner. The evening will be bursting with energy as we present the 2025 CRA Awards amid a vibrant atmosphere filled with fun and excitement. Let your hair down and dance the night away to the electrifying sounds of the band The Hustle, Wellington’s most sought-after covers band who will keep the dance floor alive all night long!

Your ticket includes an exquisite catering experience, and a limited bar tab will be available to keep the celebration going. Don’t miss out on this spectacular event!

 

Sponsors

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to PartsTrader for their generous support as our naming rights sponsor. Their commitment and partnership have been instrumental in making this event possible. We are proud to be associated with PartsTrader, and we appreciate their dedication to our shared goals and vision.

Naming Rights Partner

 

 

 

 

Gold Sponsors

 

 

Silver Sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronze Sponsors

Coffee Cart Sponsor

 

 

2025 CRA AWARDS GALA DINNER Sponsor

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

This key industry event will bring together leading experts, professionals, and innovators from the collision repair sector, offering an excellent platform for networking, learning, and showcasing products and services. Don’t miss out on this a unique opportunity to gain significant exposure and connect with industry leaders, potential clients, and partners.

 

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

 

Twelve Conferences + Events

Professional Conference Organisers and Event Management

Hayley Larsen

P: +64 27 410 6567

E: events@twelveconferences.nz

Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Tākina Convention Centre in Wellington is a state-of-the-art venue designed to host world-class events in the heart of New Zealand’s capital. With its modern architecture, flexible event spaces, and cutting-edge facilities, Takina offers an ideal setting for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings. Conveniently located near Wellington’s vibrant waterfront, the centre is easily accessible and surrounded by a wide range of dining, entertainment, and accommodation options, making it the perfect location for both business and leisure.

Takina is located at 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

There are no dedicated parking spaces available at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Instead, guests can park at any of the nearby parking facilities including the Te Papa car park, Barnett Street carpark, Century City car park and Reading on Wakefield car park.

Accommodation

This year you will need to book your own accommodation directly with the hotels. We recommend booking early to get the best rates and availability. Discounts are available at selected hotels listed on our website along with booking instructions. Although we have negotiated discounts at these hotels, we encourage you to look around for the best deals for accommodation through booking sites such as www.booking.com or www.trivago.co.nz – often these sites offer competitive rates.

The rates and discounts are available for Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 May 2025.  Nights outside of these dates can be requested but cannot be guaranteed at the special conference rates.

Guests are responsible for payment direct to hotel. Contact details and a credit card is required during booking. Please take note of the hotel cancellation policy prior to booking.

Rates are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and include goods and services tax (GST) of 15%.  *All starting prices quoted are indicative only and rates are subject to change.

TRYP by Wyndham

4 Star Hotel
15 Tory Street, Wellington, New Zealand
+64 4 974 3000

Distance to conference venue: 4 min walk

Price: from $207.20 per room per night
Discount: 20% discount off the rate at time of booking
Booking link: TRYP Wellington (book direct online)
Corporate code: 9991271015

How to book:
Click here to book. To apply the discount select more options  > corporate code and enter the code 9991271015.

Oaks Wellington

4 Star Hotel
89 Courtenay Place, Wellington
0800 004 285
Email: Wellington@theoaksgroup.co.nz

Distance to conference venue: 6 min walk

Price: from $169 per room per night
Discount: 15% discount off the rate of the day
Booking link: Oaks Wellington
Promo code: CRAC25

How to Book:

Click here to book. Ensure promocode CRAC25 is applied at check out. 

QT Wellington

4 Star Hotel
90 Cable Street, Wellington
04 802 8900

Distance to conference venue: 2 min walk

Price: from $279 per room per night
Discount: 10% off the best available rate
Booking link: QT Wellington
Corporate code: CRAC2025

How to book:

  1. Visit QT Wellington
  2. Select your dates and click BOOK
  3. Click ‘I have a code’
  4. In the ‘Corporate ID’ field enter your booking code: CRAC2025
  5. Click ‘UPDATE’
  6. Your special rates will appear

Although we have negotiated discounted rates at the following hotels, we encourage you to look around for the best deals for accommodation through booking sites such as www.booking.com or www.trivago.co.nz – often these sites offer competitive rates.