Hino Skills Contest 2025: A Celebration of Technical Excellence

The 2025 Hino Skills Contest has once again highlighted the exceptional knowledge, precision, and dedication across Hino New Zealand’s nationwide aftersales network.

After four months of online technical modules, the competition culminated in a hands-on national final held on 15 October, where the top three Service and Parts contestants competed for top honours.

Service technicians worked across three Hino models — the 300, 500, and 700 Series — diagnosing and repairing pre-determined faults under pressure. In the Parts division, finalists faced a mix of complex parts interpretation and real-world customer scenario roleplays, designed to test both product expertise and customer service skills.

Caban Wilde-Murrow

Oliver Stanley

Leon Cross

L-R Cain Wilkes, Andrew Gilmour, Shaun Hemara

National Winners

SERVICE

🥇 1st – Oliver Stanley (Truckstops Albany)

🥈 2nd – Caban Wilde-Murrow (Truckstops Palmerston North)

🥉 3rd – Leon Cross (Truckstops Whangārei)

PARTS

🥇 1st – Andrew Gilmour (Truckstops Hamilton)

🥈 2nd – Cain Wilkes (Total Parts & Service)

🥉 3rd – Shaun Hemara (Truckstops Mt Wellington)

L-R: Andrew Gilmour, Takehiro Sekiguchi, Naho Morishita, Kazuki Ishikawa, Oliver Stanley.

We’re extremely proud of the standard of performance shown by all competitors this year. Your dedication to continuous learning, accuracy, and service excellence reflects the true strength of our people and the pride we take in the Hino brand.

A special congratulations also goes to Aniceto “Chito” Dimaculangan, who received formal recognition as a Hino Spirit Master — the highest technical qualification awarded by Hino Motors Japan. This rare achievement celebrates Chito’s years of commitment and outstanding technical contribution to the Hino brand.

Chito receives his Spirit Master award

We were also honoured to host guests from Hino Motor Sales Australia and Hino Motors Japan: Michael Phraphakdy, Naho Morishita, Kazuki Ishikawa, and Takehiro Sekiguchi.

Congratulations once again to all participants and our 2025 champions. Your passion, skill, and professionalism continue to raise the bar for excellence across Hino New Zealand’s network.