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 by Connexis, training provider to the energy sector, is a prestigious three-day competition that attracts national interest, whilst also showcasing and celebrating industry trainee excellence. It sees line mechanic crews and cable jointers from around New Zealand compete in a series of challenges that put their workplace skills to the test.
Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the organisation is thrilled to be bringing Annual Connection back to Christchurch, which last hosted the event in 2018.
“Bringing Annual Connection to Christchurch creates a fantastic opportunity to gather our Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) companies centrally in the South Island. There is nothing quite like this event to showcase the skill in our ESI workforce, while demonstrating to the community how rewarding and varied careers in the energy sector can be.
“It will be great to see the different teams, as well as suppliers and supporters, from all over New Zealand gather in Christchurch to test their skills against each other over the three-day competition.”
The Orion Group Chief Executive Nigel Barbour says: “Annual Connection is an event that’s circled in the calendar every year by many in the electricity industry. It’s a great opportunity to connect and reconnect with people across the sector and see the best and brightest in the field get stuck into the various skills challenges. We’re absolutely thrilled to see the event return to Ōtautahi/Christchurch in 2025.”
For EA Networks, co-hosting the Annual Connection competition in 2025 is an important part of its commitment to the industry. “Our team is proud of the work we do in the field and it’s great to have an opportunity to showcase this, and enable other lines companies to do the same,” says Chief Executive Onno Mulder. “Our field teams are proud guardians of our network and we want to be involved in building the next generation of skilled people.”
Keeping our people safe is also a key driver for the company, Mulder says. “It’s about showing people that the work is exciting and challenging, but there are also a lot of safeguards that underpin the work, and it means we get our teams home safe each night. We’re looking forward to being involved in a great competition next year.”
Connetics’ Chief Executive, John Thompson says: “Having the opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements that exist in the ESI is a major driver behind the company’s support of the event.
“This event showcases the people within our industry, highlighting their skills, capabilities, and commitment to delivering the essential service of electricity to our communities – 24/7.
“We want to open the eyes of young people to attract them to our industry. An industry that can offer fulfilling careers and a broad range of opportunities, all the while making a positive difference to the world we live in.”
Entries for Annual Connection 2025 open on 1 April 2025, with updates and news available at www.annualconnection.co.nz
