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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

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