This week, we took a group of our Year 10 students to the Connexis Annual Connection 2026 event at the Pukekohe Showgrounds. This three-day competition and expo brings together New Zealand’s top line mechanics and cable jointers, giving our students a front-row seat to the high-voltage skills that keep the country powered.
Attending the dedicated School Sessions was an awesome, hands-on experience. Guided by industry mentors, our group got to step into the shoes of infrastructure workers by:
- 🔌 Wiring an electrical circuit to see how power flows firsthand.
- 🚧 Practising site safety by learning how to properly lay out road cones right from the back of an industry truck.
- 🛠️ Exploring trade pathways and discovering what it takes to land a paid apprenticeship in the electricity supply industry.
🎤 A special shoutout to one of our own students who stepped up for a mini-interview over the loudspeaker PA system, sharing their experience with the entire crowd!
It was an incredible opportunity for everyone to spark their curiosity, build real-world confidence, and discover rewarding career pathways right behind the power network!
A massive thank you to the event organisers, Connexis Infrastructure Training, for putting together such an inspiring event for our students, and to our local lines company, Counties Energy, for hosting the event.
Cherie Roberts
Gateway Co-ordinator