King Country champs ‘humble but ready’
9 October 2024
There’s a quiet confidence about the King Country team preparing to defend its national title.
From its base in Te Peka St, Taumarunui, a team from The Lines Company (TLC) will head to Te Awamutu later this month to compete in Annual Connection 2024 – an event showcasing highly specialised electricity supply skills.
TLC won the national event last year, returning home laden with awards including the prestigious overall line mechanic championship plus three category awards.
Team manager Shogun Haami said the 2024 team want to repeat last year’s success and do the King Country, TLC and their whāanau and wider community, proud.
“As a team our greatest asset is our culture and how we interact together. The loyalty, the honour, the trust and the faith we have in each other – that’s what matters,” Haami said.
“We’re quietly confident. We know who we are as people and as a team. We work together every day. We train hard two weeks before the competition and we know this will bring out the best in everyone.”
The competition will see cable jointers and line mechanic teams from energy companies around the country compete over three days. Activities will test specialist skills and experience, plus showcase the range of careers in the electricity supply industry.
TLC’s team is coached for the second year running by foreman Dion Adams and the team was a “bunch of normal people who all work in the field, every day.”
Team members include Richard Bishop who won the pit rescue category in his competition last year, TLC team leader Wiremu Te Tawhero, the experienced Matty Tamaira, newly qualified line mechanic Topia Walker and line mechanic trainee Anaru Etana. Both Topia and Anaru are competing at the national competition for the first time. All but one member of the team is based in Taumarunui but everyone works right across TLC’s extensive network, keeping people connected.
TLC chief executive Mike Fox said the event was a rare opportunity for everyone in the industry to be in the same place, at the same time. There was a lot to discuss, including a looming shortage of skilled workers, he said.
It’s estimated the industry will need twice as many people over the next few years as the country seeks to harness renewable energy and electrify key infrastructure,
“I know our team really impressed people last year, and it’s going to be the same this year – I’ve got no doubt about that,” Fox said.
“It’s not just about skill, it’s also about character and attitude and our guys have that in spades. Whatever they achieve, we’re going to be proud of them.”
The three-day event is managed by infrastructure industry training provider Connexis and will be co-hosted by TLC and Waipā Networks. More than 100 competitors will attend a special registration event and powhiri in Te Kuiti on Monday, October 21. Competition will be held at Te Awamutu’s Castleton Park from 22-24 October.