23 October, 2026 New Zealand’s outstanding electricity supply workers have put their skills and expertise to the test in Pukekohe at Annual Connection 2026, showcasing the specialist skills that keep New Zealand connected and powered up.
Managed annually by Connexis, the national infrastructure industry training provider, and this year hosted by Counties Energy, Annual Connection is a major event for New Zealand’s electricity supply industry. It brings together line mechanic crews and cable jointers from electricity lines companies around the country for a series of challenging, skills-based competitions, alongside opportunities to recognise emerging talent and promote careers in the industry.
The winning line mechanic crew for 2026 is Top Energy, from Northland, the team’s third consecutive win, while the champion cable jointer is Jacob Linton from Waipā Networks, Waikato.
The event also showcases the next generation of electricity supply workers through competitions for apprentices currently in training. The 2026 trainee cable jointer competition was won by Anare Elers from PowerNet in Southland, while the winner of the supply industry electrical apprentice competition was Oliver Ormandy from Independent Line Services, Christchurch.
Annual Connection concluded with the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards, celebrating the country’s outstanding electricity supply industry trainees and the mentors who support their development.
The overall Trainee of the Year for 2026 is Michael Mitchell, a line mechanic for Top Energy in Northland, also a member of the company’s winning line mechanic team. Mitchell also won the 2026 Distribution Trainee of the Year award.
Mitchell recently completed his line mechanic apprenticeship through Connexis, and has already begun his second apprenticeship, training as a cable jointer.
In nominating Mitchell for the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards, Top Energy Field Services Health, Safety, Quality & Risk Manager Anne Mason said Mitchell “consistently demonstrates the qualities, values, and commitment that represent the very best of the electricity distribution industry”.
“Despite his relatively young age, Michael displays a level of professionalism, maturity, initiative, and dedication that is exceptional among his peers.
“[Michael] is an outstanding team member because he genuinely values the success of the people around him. He believes that individual performance is a reflection of those who have invested time in teaching and mentoring others, and he actively contributes to a culture of teamwork, respect, and shared success.”
The complete list of Connexis Energy Trainee Awards winners is:
- Distribution Trainee of the Year: Michael Mitchell, Line Mechanic, Top Energy, Kerikeri.
- Transmission Trainee of the Year: Zinzan Coop, Transmission Line Mechanic, Northpower, Hamilton.
- Generation Trainee of the Year: Callum Bryant, Operator Maintainer, Genesis Energy, Tekapo.
- Traction Line Mechanic Trainee of the Year: Roy Lewis-Brown, Traction Line Mechanic, Kiwi Rail, Taihape.
- Utility Arborist Trainee of the Year: Remy McDonald, Utility Arborist, Asplundh, Christchurch.
- Advanced Trainee of the Year: Jessie King, Power Technician, Omexom, Invercargill.
- Overall Trainee of the Year: Michael Mitchell, Line Mechanic, Top Energy, Kerikeri.
Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says Annual Connection is an important opportunity to recognise the skills, commitment and professionalism of the people who keep New Zealand’s electricity supply network operating.
“A lot of the day-to-day work undertaken by these extremely skilled individuals and crews happens out of the public eye yet is essential to ensuring access to infrastructure services that literally keeps the country powered up,” Gaukrodger says.
“Annual Connection is an important opportunity to showcase the skill involved in that work, as well as the exciting, long-term career pathways those skills, and the training behind them, can lead to.”
Gaukrodger says an important part of Annual Connection is welcoming local schools, giving students the chance to experience first-hand some of the opportunities a career in the electricity supply industry (ESI) can offer. This year, around 80 students from eight local schools attended the event.
Connexis was thrilled to have the support of Counties Energy, one of the earliest participants of Annual Connection when it first launched, as host sponsor, Gaukrodger says. A Counties Energy line mechanic crew was also entered in the competition.
Counties Energy CEO July Nicholl says:“We’d like to thank Connexis for delivering an exceptional event and giving the community a chance to see our sector in action. The skill, teamwork and professionalism on display really reflect what makes this industry special.
“While the technical side may draw newcomers in, it’s the people, shared knowledge and sense of purpose that make a career in this field so rewarding. Congratulations to all the competitors, and thanks to the other sponsors, volunteers and everyone who helped make the event such a success.”
Gaukrodger says: “A huge thank you to Counties Energy for being the host sponsor of Annual Connection 2026 and for helping make this iconic industry event possible. Their support demonstrates a real commitment to the electricity supply industry and to recognising and promoting the community that ensures reliable access to power for all New Zealanders.
“Thank you also to all our sponsors, industry employers, suppliers and the individuals who volunteer their time and for getting behind Annual Connection each year. The event relies on the industry coming together to share its expertise, support trainees and apprentices, showcase career opportunities to the wider community, and celebrate excellence. That collective commitment is vital to building the skilled workforce our industry needs for the future.”
Annual Connection 2026 placings:
Line mechanic competition
Winner: Top Energy
2nd place: Waipā Networks
3rd place: Omexom
Cable jointer competition:
Winner: Jacob Linton, Waipā Networks
2nd place: Jarod Simmonds, Omexom
3rd place: Garth Leslie, Alpine Energy
Trainee Cable Jointer Competition
Winner: Anare Elers, PowerNet Ltd, Southland
Supply Industry Electrical Apprentice Competition
Winner: Oliver Ormandy, Independent Line Services, Christchurch
For additional information:
Please contact
Kerri Jackson
Accento Communications
022 088 5860
kerri@accento.nz
About Connexis
Connexis supports work-based learning for New Zealand’s infrastructure industries, including civil, energy, telecommunications and water. It works with employers and learners to develop the skills and capability needed to build, maintain and operate the country’s essential infrastructure.