News

  28 April 2026 New Zealand’s energy workforce will showcase the dynamic skills and expertise that power the industry and country at Annual Connection 2026. Line mechanic crews, cable jointers, and energy trainees from across New Zealand will compete in hands-on challenges that showcase their skills, teamwork, and industry expertise in one high-powered event that puts their real-world skills to

Annual Connection is well into its third decade celebrating the skills and expertise of New Zealand’s Electricity Supply Industry (ESI), but the event continues to grow and evolve. A key example of that was brilliantly on show at the 2025 event in Christchurch which played host to two new events aimed at ESI trainees: the Graham Evans Cable Jointer Trainee

Every year at the Connexis Energy Trainee Excellence Awards we celebrate those trainees working in the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) around the country who demonstrate great willingness to learn, and who are working hard to build themselves a successful career. Finalists are chosen in five trainee categories, based on nominations from employers. Winners are then chosen in each category, with

Congratulations to Hugh Thomson, trainee line mechanic with Counties Energy, who has been named this year’s Overall Trainee of the Year at the Connexis Excellence Awards. Hugh, who has been at Counties Energy since 2022 was also named winner of the Distribution Trainee of the Year. In nominating Hugh for the award, Counties Energy described Hugh as going the extra

Congratulations to Northland’s Top Energy who have won the Annual Connection line mechanic competition two years in a row! The same team that won in Te Awamutu in 2024 returned to Annual Connection 2025 in Christchurch to triumph again. Congratulations to: Team foreman Simon Bayliss, Michael Kava, Lance Kahotea, trainee Michael Mitchell and team manager Karl Wilson. On their path

Northland’s Top Energy are bringing the same line mechanic crew to Annual Connection 2025, which won the competition last year.                               What do you think the secret was to your success last year? Simon Bayliss (team foreman): “I don’t think there is a secret, but I

  As the country’s top energy sector workers show off their world-class skills at a national competition event in Christchurch next month, two young local women are making their mark. More female competitors are making their presence felt at Annual Connection each year, and this year is no exception with a record number of women registered to take on the

8 October 2025 They keep the lights on and the jug boiling – now they’re stepping into the spotlight. More than 100 of New Zealand’s best line mechanics and cable jointers are set to show off their world class skills and knowledge as they compete in Annual Connection 2025. Annual Connection, organised annually by Connexis, the national training provider to

2024 winning cable jointer Taylor Simmonds is looking to repeat his success at Annual Connection. “I’ve prepared differently this year. Last year I didn’t know what to expect but this year I know what I need to do – and I’ve trained accordingly which I hope has helped.” Annual Connection 2024 winning cable jointer, Taylor Simmonds from Omexom in Auckland

If there’s anybody that knows what it takes to take on the responsibility of judging the skills of line mechanic crews at Annual Connection, it’s Phil Johnson from PowerNet in Invercargill. Phil has been a judge in almost every Annual Connection line mechanic competition since it was resurrected at the Hamilton event in 2002, stepping aside only once in 2003

PRESS RELEASE   Annual Connection will make its return to the South Island in 2025, with help from a team of three host companies. Ōtautahi/Christchurch electricity distribution network The Orion Group is proud to join forces with fellow Canterbury-based EDB EA Networks, with support from Connetics Ltd. to host Annual Connection at Canterbury Park, October 21-23, 2025. Annual Connection, managed

PRESS RELEASE           Te Awamutu, October 25, 2024: The future of New Zealand’s electricity supply industry (ESI) looks bright, with the country’s top trainees recognised at an awards ceremony in Waikato. The Connexis Excellence Awards, recognising the best and brightest trainees in New Zealand’s ESI were named at a ceremony to close the industry’s iconic Annual

                    “I keep telling the team we’re not going to defend the title, we’re going to win the competition. It’s a totally different mindset.”   As foreman for the The Lines Company line mechanic team, entered in Annual Connection 2024, Wiremu Te Tawharo is keeping his crew focused and motivated.  

Jono Ackroyd, Cable Jointer Competition Manager When Jono Ackroyd entered the electrical supply industry (ESI) 24 years ago, he was entering the family business. “I was employed in 2000 by a community owned co-op company called Electricity Ashburton, now trading as EA Networks. My father had worked there for nearly three decades as a civil construction cable jointer. Like many

Sparks are set to fly in the Waikato later this month as New Zealand’s best line mechanics and cable jointers go head-to-head in a competition designed to showcase the electricity supply industry skills that keep the country connected. Annual Connection 2024 will see cable jointers and line mechanic teams from energy companies around the country competing over three days and judged

  Warren Hedley, Line Mechanic Competition Manager Warren’s history with Annual Connection dates back 20 years to 2004 when he competed in the line mechanic competition, taking out a couple of first places in different contests. He then took on a judging role for eight years, before stepping up to line mechanic competition manager. “I’m thoroughly loving this role, firstly

Wellington, September 2023: The best of New Zealand’s line mechanics and cable jointers will be going head-to-head in Invercargill in September, showing off the skills that keep the country’s electricity connected. Annual Connection 2023, proudly hosted by Southland’s electricity management company, PowerNet in conjunction with Connexis | Te Pūkenga will see line mechanic crews and cable jointers compete in events that