Te Awamutu local wins electrical theory award

Waipā Networks was recognised at the Connexis Excellence Awards on Thursday evening, which celebrate the skills and capability of New Zealand’s lines mechanics and cable jointers.

As part of the Connexis Annual Connection lines competition, Waipā Networks cable jointer Zak Ramsay, supported by manager Tom Hemara, won the electrical theory award for 2024, and placed third overall in the cable jointing competition.

The Waipā Networks lines crew were also winners at the awards, taking home the Busck Pole Install award in the highly competitive lines competition.

18 teams from across New Zealand competed at this year’s Annual Connection lines competition, which took place at Castleton Park in Te Awamutu and was co-sponsored by Waipā Networks and The Lines Company.

The awards evening concluded an action-packed three-day competition, during which some of New Zealand’s top line mechanics and cable jointers showcased their skills, techniques, and safety practices.

Zak Ramsey has been with Waipā Networks for eight years. Starting at Electrix as a trainee straight out of school, he qualified as a lines mechanic in 2016, then advanced to faults person/HV cable jointer in 2019, thriving in his role ever since.

Waipā Networks cable jointer crew manager, Tom Hemara says Zak Ramsay’s a great role model for the young ones coming into the industry.

“He has gone through the process himself, right from school into a trainee role and progressed through the steps,” says Hemara. “He’s a pleasure to have on the crew and a well-deserved recipient of the award.”

Waipā Networks’ Chief Executive Sean Horgan expressed pride in the Waipā Networks team and the training and preparation they put in ahead of the three-day competition.

“It’s been great to be able to host this event and share it with our team, their families and our community,” he says.

“Our field crews have showcased both their talent and trade. They are the ones that do the mahi when a storm takes the power lines down or when our region needs electricity to grow. They represent the best of our industry, and we couldn’t be more proud,” he adds.