Child restraint technicians play a very important role in keeping children safe on our roads. For this reason, the child restraint training programme has been linked to a competence-based system.
To become a child restraint technician you need to have trained in the competence-based system.
There are two options:
1. Get in touch with an assessor or trainer who can guide you through the details of the training and assessment process. Assessors and trainers may be employed by a retailer (or another organisation) but they are independent and are able to train or assess anyone.
2. You are expected to obtain two competencies and be listed as a CRT on our website
Find a child restraint technician
This ensures that all CRTs have the skills and knowledge required to carry out this role competently. The two competencies are:
1) Demonstrate knowledge of child restraints to provide advice for installation, rental or sale (knowledge competency), and
2) Select approved child restraints for installation, rental or sale, and install them (practical competency).
If you only need to know how to select and use child restraints as part of your job, rather than install them, you will only need to obtain one competency (knowledge based). People holding only this competency are not deemed to be CRTs. If you are new to the sector, you will undergo training and then be assessed in the competencies you wish to obtain.
The assessment for the knowledge competency is carried out by a theory test where you can use your reference manual for assistance. Once you are deemed competent, you do not have to repeat the knowledge competency unless major changes are made to the competency due to – for example – significant legislative changes. If this happens, reassessment would need to take place.
The second assessment (to become a CRT) can only be undertaken once you are deemed competent in the theory assessment. This assessment is a practical assessment where you are observed installing a range of child restraints. People holding both competencies will be recognised as a CRT.
3. Your assessor will guide you through this process. Once you have been trained and assessed your assessor will assist in getting your contact details listed on the Waka Kotahi website.
Note: CRTs play an important role in keeping children safe on our roads. They can provide informed advice on the type of child restraint needed. They also have the practical knowledge to correctly fit a child restraint into a vehicle and show parents/caregivers how to do it too. However, a CRT is not a legal requirement for installing child restraints under land transport legislation.
Becoming a child restraint technician (guide)
Frequently asked questions on changes to becoming a child restraint technician [PDF, 186 KB]
If you’re looking to become a child restraint technician, you need to get in touch with a trainer or assessor who can guide you through the training and assessment process. They are listed in the table below.
Child restraint trainers hold (in addition to child restraint technician certification) a range of adult education standards. Trainers (who are also assessors) can both train and assess the competence of new people wishing to certify and assess the competence of those wishing to recertify.
Child restraint assessors are registered with ServiceIQ and hold (in addition to child restraint technician certification) a range of standards around the assessment of adult learning.
Assessors can assess your competence against both the theory and practical standards whether you are 'recertifying' or becoming certified for the first time. People who are assessors but not trainers are not qualified to train new people wishing to certify.
It is possible for people to train as an assessor, without being a trainer.
Assessors and trainers may be employed by a retailer (or other organisation) but they are independent and are free to train or assess anyone.
The region listed below is where they are located but many of them train groups outside of their area.
| Name | Region | Landline | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danielle Beh | Auckland | 021 271 8663 | dannybeh@xtra.co.nz | |
| Simone Budel | Auckland | 021 234 9352 | simone.budel46@gmail.com | |
| Mary Hall | Auckland | 09 846 4162 | 021 176 0372 | marynben34@gmail.com |
| Nicole Magnus | Auckland | 09 813 5098 | Nicole.magnus@thlonline.com | |
| Rachael Hannah | Auckland and Waikato (Waikato by application) | 021 0816 4855 | ||
| Susan MacIlwee | Bay of Plenty | 021 115 8112 | macilwee@xtra.co.nz | |
| Michelle Whittaker (Little Buds) | Whanganui | 027 239 5608 | little.buds@xtra.co.nz | |
| Vivien Morton | Wellington | 04 234 7071 | 027 645 1146 | morton_family@xtra.co.nz |
| Bruce Wilson | Wellington | 021 466 250 | ||
| Ruby O'Sullivan | Nelson | 022 632 2564 | ruby_osullivan@hotmail.com | |
| Claire Turner | Nelson | 03 547 2244 | 027 275 2786 | claire @babyonthemove.co.nz |
| Amanda Franklin* | Christchurch Ashburton Timaru |
03 389 7066 | 027 500 8558 | w_franklin100@hotmail.com |
| Clare Horwell | Otago (Mosgiel and Dunedin) | 027 460 5534 | sittingsafenz@gmail.com | |
| Tanya Lonneker | Southland | Tanya.l@infa.co.nz |
*Available for recertifications only (no initial training or assessments).
Access the Child restraint technician’s manual
Download or order printed copies of the Child restraint installation flyer
