“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.
Wiremu, based at The Lines Company Taumarunui depot, knows what it takes to win. He first competed at Annual Connections as a trainee in 2022, and was also part of The Lines Company team that won the Annual Connection line mechanic competition in 2023, and he’s ready to repeat the feat.
“Without giving away any secrets, I think what it takes to win is a really good team culture. We definitely had that last year, and we built into the competition really well. The biggest challenge is the mindset, so I tell the team we’re going out to beat our team that won last year.”
Though Wiremu is the only 2023 team member that’s in The Lines Company’s 2024 team, there is experience in another teammate who competed in 2022, and some last year’s team have been offering the benefits of their knowledge and experience to the newcomers.
“The team is pretty excited.”
Wiremu’s successes at Annual Connection have been mirrored in his own rise through the ranks at The Lines Company, where he has been for almost five years. He was named Distribution Trainee of the Year at the Connexis Industry Excellence Awards back in 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength to be Team Leader Southern Lines.
“Winning that trainee award was a real career high moment for me, because it was an award open to all of New Zealand, not just within your company or your town. It is something I’ll hold on to.”
Wiremu says winning the award also gave him the confidence and motivation to keep training and working hard to progress through the company. Ultimately, though, what he loves most about his work is the variety and the camaraderie.
“Every day is different. Here the terrain is pretty rural, and the mountain is just up the road, so there’s always something going on. No two days are the same.
“I also think a lot of people also don’t appreciate what a brotherhood this industry offers – for the males and females. Right across New Zealand we’re all a part of this big machine and we’re all out there trying to do the same thing. You’re not just one guy from one company, you’re part of something bigger.”
He cites the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle as an example where crews from Omexom and Northpower came into the central North Island to help with repairs, while others headed to Hawkes Bay to help there.
That sense of community is one of the reasons Wiremu enjoys Annual Connection.
“It’s a really great opportunity to meet people right across the industry. It’s an opportunity to put your name out there, show what you can do, and learn from others. You might catch up with people you did block courses with, or from other years at Annual Connection. You make connections that stay with you.”
Image supplied by The Lines Company