New Zealand’s top electricity supply industry (ESI) trainees have been named as finalists in the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards for 2026.
Powering Excellence – NZ’s energy workforce takes centre stage
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 the …
Celebrating the ESI’s top trainees
Celebrating the ESI’s top trainees 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. Finalises are chosen in five trainee categories, based on nominations from employers. Winners are then …
Bringing the energy to win
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 think for us it was the ability to adapt under pressure. It was not all smooth …
Young Ashburton women cable jointers taking on the best in NZ
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 challenges …
PRESS RELEASE: New Zealand’s outstanding electricity supply skills to light up Christchurch
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 …
Annual Connection: a judge’s view
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 …
Connexis Energy Trainee Awards Finalists Announced
The big reveal! The list of finalists for the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards, recognising the best and brightest trainees in New Zealand’s Electricity Supply Industry, is out! The winners will be announced at the Connexis Excellence Awards Dinner, being held on 23 October at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Who will take out the top accolade of Trainee of the …
Top of the country: Inside Top Energy’s Annual Connection win
“The nerves turned into excitement and focus as soon as the hooter went.” Simon Bayliss, foreman for Top Energy’s winning line mechanic crew at Annual Connection 2024, says with all of the team members new to Annual Connection there were plenty of nerves ahead of the competition start in Te Awamutu. “Our team had a two-week training block prior to …
Two decades of Annual Connection
“People don’t think about this industry much except when the weather’s bad and the power goes off, so Annual Connection is a way to showcase the skills in the industry and recognise some of the best performers.” Rick Johnson has seen some of today’s electricity supply industry top performers and leaders rise through the ranks from being fresh-faced trainees, having …
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