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Apprentice challenge 2023
The Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge is an annual competition held across New Zealand to find New Zealand’s BEST electrical apprentice! Read more about the 2023 finals event and awards
Our 2023 Winners
Domestic/Commercial
Jack Norris – Aotea Electric Canterbury
Industrial
Chris Read – Dalton Electrical Auckland
Initiative
Liam George – Athenry Electrical – Auckland
Our 2023 Finalists
Domestic/Commercial Finalists
- Adam Thompson, Auckland, Aotea Electric
- Jack Norris, Christchurch, Aotea Electric
- Liam Gassler, Auckland, employed by Etco, hosted by Aotea Electric
- Mark Kennard, Dunedin, employed by Etco, hosted by Tansley Electrical
- Wade Phelps, Hokitika, Hamish Hamilton Electrical
Industrial Finalists
- Chris Read, Auckland, Dalton Electrical
- Daniel Ingram, Hamilton, Etco
- Dennis Tan, Auckland, employed by Etco, hosted by Dalton Electrical
- Finn Jeffrey, Tauranga, employed by Etco, hosted by Essity Australasia Kawerau
- Liam George, Auckland, employed by Etco, hosted by Athenry Electrical
Regional Winners
Southland – Monday 12 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Robbie Gill, Employed by Etco, hosted by NES
2nd – Peter Connell, Aotea Electric Invercargill Ltd
3rd – Liam Martin, Employed by Etco, hosted by Amtec Electrical Ltd
Industrial
1st – Strat Longman, Southern Group Training Trust
2nd – Shaun Wilks, Southern Group Training Trust
3rd – Jordan Culliford, Employed by Etco, hosted by EIS
Initiative Award
William Larsen, Employed by Etco, hosted by Dawson Electrical
Otago – Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Mark Kennard, Employed by Etco, hosted by Tansley Electrical
2nd – Cody McCarthy, Employed by Etco hosted by Tansley Electrical Ltd (Dunedin)
3rd – Oliver Zwicker, Aotea Electric Dunedin Ltd
Industrial
1st – Kent Marshall, Switchbuild Ltd
2nd – Michael Cathcart, Aotea Electric Dunedin Ltd
3rd – Raymond Clarke, Switchbuild Ltd
Initiative Award
Alex Clarke, Employed by Etco, hosted by Plunket Electrical Group
South Canterbury – Tuesday 20 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Matt Foote, Des Scott Electrical
2nd – Marisa Joseph, Aotea Electric Canterbury
3rd – Angus Rooney, Des Scott Electrical
Industrial
1st – Jess Brown, Industrial Controls South Canterbury Ltd
2nd – Logan Hope, Industrial Controls South Canterbury Ltd
3rd – Daniel De Vera, Industrial Controls South Canterbury Ltd
Initiative Award
Lyndon Murray – Industrial Controls South Canterbury Ltd
Canterbury – Thursday 22 June & Friday 23 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st Jack Norris, Aotea Electric Canterbury
2nd – Wade Phelps, Hamish Hamilton Electrical
3rd – Jesse Waswo, Employed by Etco, hosted by Wilpower Electrical Limited
Industrial
1st – Hugo Carey, Employed by Etco, hosted by Nairn Electrical Limited
2nd – Forbes Hollobon, Employed by Etco, hosted by Nairn Electrical Limited
3rd – Benjami West, Employed by Etco, hosted by Nairn Electrical Limited
Initiative Award
Emma Wilson – Aotea Electric Westland
Tasman – Tuesday 27 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Alisha Lewis, Employed by Etco, hosted by Glenn Roberts Electrical
2nd – Jack Rennie, Tech Electric
3rd – Steve King, Employed by Aotea Electric Blenheim Limited
Industrial
1st – Ollie Hunter, CHH Woodproducts Nelson
2nd – Troy Palmer, Rzoska Electrical
Initiative Award
Taylor Berkett – Employed by Etco, hosted by Glenn Roberts Electrical
Wellington – Friday 30 June
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Stefan Turley, Baz G Electrical
2nd – Zane Cottle, Employed by Etco, Hosted by Stewart & Rogers Electrical Limited
3rd – Jason Kinsey, Wiretec Electrical Limited
Industrial
1st – Andy Beard, Employed by Etco, hosted by AWB Electrical Limited,
Initiative Award
Christian Schneider – Employed by Etco, hosted by Seven Electrical
Manawatu – Tuesday 4 July
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Jaeden Giles, B & M Electrical
2nd – Taylor Lind, B & M Electrical
3rd – Neil Auckram, Raue Electrical Limited
Industrial
1st – Max Ingle, Walker Thomas Electrical
2nd Todd Imrie, Premier Beehive
3rd Sigourney Sumich, New Zealand Army
Initiative Award
Alexander Krofcheck – Walker & Thomas Electrical
Taranaki – Thursday 6 July
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Richard Lander, ICE Electrical
2nd – Isaac Burton, Rapid Wire Electrical
3rd – Cameron Hall, ICE Limited
Industrial
1st – Josh Gilmour, Employed by Etco, Hosted by ICE Electrical
2nd – Navjot Singh Sahota, Employed by Etco, hosted by Ties
Initiative Award
Caleb Herd – Employed by Etco, Hosted by Re:Lume
Hawkes Bay – Tuesday 18 July
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Jeremy Ayto, Russell’s Electric
2nd – Joshua Gillbanks, HRV
3rd – Greg Smith, Employed by Etco, hosted by Deci Electrical
4th – Oliver Van Kampen, Employed by Etco, hosted by Falcon Electrical
Industrial
1st – Jordan Attwood, Employed by Etco, hosted by EPD
2nd – Corbin Acraman, Buzz Electrics
3rd – Lucas Morgan, Employed by Etco, hosted by EMF Electrical
4th – Michelle Mahy, Buzz Electrics
Initiative Award
Rhiannon Treadway – Employed by Etco, hosted by Falcon Electrical
Bay of Plenty – Monday 24 July
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Lewis Hall, Fused Electrical
2nd – Tony MacDonald, Employed by Etco, hosted by Link Electrical Limited
3rd – Lee Waters, Sefton Electrical Limited
Industrial
1st – Finn Jeffery, Employed by Etco, hosted by Essity
2nd – Christopher Thompson, Ultraflex Technologies
3rd – Peter Ostick, Employed by Etco, hosted by Electrical Works
Initiative Award
Charlie Harris – Employed by Etco, hosted by Energy Services
Waikato – Wednesday 26 July
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Jackson Parry, DunnRight
2nd – Jordan Leineweber, Kiwitown Electric
3rd – William Redmayne, Employed by Etco, hosted by Dudfields Electrical Limited
Industrial
1st – Daniel Ingram, employed by Etco
2nd – Nikoli Christensen, Kiwi Control Systems Limited
3rd – Haddon Gillling, HB Electech Limited
Initiative Award
Jesse White – Alpha Electrical Services
Auckland – Monday 31 July, Tuesday 1 & Wednesday 2 August
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Adam Thompson, Employed by Aotea Electric Auckland
2nd – Liam Gassler, Employed by Etco, hosted by Aotea Electric Auckland
3rd – Harrison Phillips, Employed by Etco, hosted by Kinetic Rodney
Industrial
1st – Dennis Tan, Employed by Etco, hosted by Dalton Electrical
2nd – Liam George, Employed by Etco, hosted by Athenry Electrical
3rd – Chris Read, Employed by Dalton Electrical
Initiative
Byron Boon – Employed by Etco, hosted by Aotea Electric Canterbury
Northland – Friday 4 August
Domestic/Commercial
1st – Ben Campbell, Aotea Electric Northland
2nd – Daniel Mostert, Go Fox Electrical Whangarei
3rd – Isaac Noser, employed by Etco, hosted by ACECO
Industrial
1st Place – Ciara O’Halloran, employed by Etco, hosted by Golden Bay Cement Works
Initiative
Luca Matenga , employed by Etco, hosted by Astech Northland
How it works
Apprentices throughout the country will compete in two divisions, vying for the esteemed titles of:
New Zealand’s Top Electrical Apprentice – Industrial Section
New Zealand’s Top Electrical Apprentice – Commercial & Domestic Section
There is also a third title – the Initiative Award – which is based on how the finalists present themselves, their initiative towards Health and Safety, and how they conduct themselves within a competition setting.
Preliminary regional rounds will be held in cities around New Zealand, with the finals being held in Auckland on in late August.
This is definitely not a daunting exercise – all competitors get a head start!
Prior to the competition each competitor will be given a guideline of what they will be tested on. This is so they are aware of what is expected of them – we want this to be an educational experience for them, as well as a competition. In some cases, this gives apprentices the chance to try a skill that they have not yet had a chance to, and with the guidance of their employer they will be able to expand their knowledge pool.
The top competitors from each preliminary event will go home with some awesome prizes. There is also a ton of spot prizes.
Who goes to the finals?
The top 5 national competitors from each division (Domestic/Commercial and Industrial) will get to go to the finals for an all-expenses paid trip to battle it out for the title of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge winner.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to enter, participants must be in a current training agreement. If an apprentice who enters qualifies after 10 August 2023 they are able to compete in the regionals but will not be eligible to participate in the finals.
Any queries should be directed to Libby Carson, Event Manager – Apprentice Challenge at challenge@masterelectricians.org.nz or call 027 2693939.
Domestic/Commercial Previous Winners
2022 – Thomas Mitchell
2021 – Matthew Ven der Wel
2019 – Zachary Fitzgerald-Geddes
2018 – Lindsay Froggatt
2017 – Harmony Court
2016 – Chabb Chia
2015 – Joseph Morris
2014 – Cameron Shailer
2013 – Vaughan Marshall
2012 – Alex Tyson
2011 – Logan Hanifin
2010 – Dwight Grayburn
2009 – Darryl Ferencz
2008 – Kyle Huggard
2007 – Blair Vercoe
2006 – Steve Letts
2005 – Daniel Woolaston
2004 – Simon Wellum
2003 – Todd Needham
2002 – Anthony Park
Industrial Previous Winners
2022 – Mathew Masters
2021 – Sam Riordan
2019 – Tyrone Croukamp
2018 – Daniel Tait
2017 – Nick Johnson
2016 – Logan Sanders
2015 – Rahul Babu
2014 – Rob Stockley
2013 – Jonathan McFall
2012 – Rowan Cann
2011 – Paul Cook
2010 – Daniel Berry
2009 – Cole Jackson
2008 – Mark Adams
2007 – Alister Garrett-Tuck
2006 – Fletcher Campbell
2005 – Leon Moir
2004 – Leon Moir
2003 – Nathan Howe
2002 – Matthew Slater
