Congratulations on making the finals at this year’s Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2025!
Whatever the outcome at the end of the final’s competition, you should be exceptionally proud of yourself for achieving top 5 in your category in the country!
Below is information that you need to know:.
The finals are being held in Queenstown on 30 & 31 October 2025, and you will be required to be in Queenstown from 29 October – 1 November.
Throughout the two days you will compete in five 2-hour modules, is designed to test your abilities in areas of the trade including problem solving, following instructions and practical exercises.
How to Prepare
Industrial
To help prepare for the finals, it is recommended to research and prepare for:
- Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality performance, consider Safe Work Procedures and Personal Protective Equipment
- Inspection and verification of installations to AS/NZ 3019:2007 Section 5, and AS/NZS 3000:2007 Section 8
- Safe work practices including LOTO & Prove Test Prove procedures.
- Reading and understanding of electrical drawings is important.
- Conduit / Cable ladder / Cable Tray / Unistrut – cable support system builds and cable installation (Power and instrument cables).
- Familiar with the installation and wiring of Siemens S7-1500 PLC, ET200SP remote IO and HMI using Siemens TIA Portal Software.
- TIA Portal software can be used free of charge and used for 21 days without a license at no cost. Here is the download link: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/nz/en/view/109963850
- There is a great YouTube channel on TIA which is very simple and pretty much covers everything they need. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtGimRyb0S0ivKG6RsDWTtPSyOZ_iqS3b
- NHP switch gear including:
- MEN systems
- Surge Protection Device (SPD) with Safe Ground feature
- Emergency Lighting (EL) Test Unit.
- Smart Relay Run-On Timer Micro810
- NHP RCBOs
- VSD / Safety including e/Stop relay and Allen Bradley PowerFlex 525 VSD with Safe Torque Off (STO) – Wire, configure & test run.
- Industrial installation power and lighting cable selections
Domestic/Commercial
To help prepare for the finals, it is recommended to research and prepare for:
- Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality performance, consider Safe Work Procedures and Personal Protective Equipment
- Inspection and verification of installations to AS/NZ 3019:2007 Section 5, and AS/NZS 3000:2007 Section 8
- Safe work practices including LOTO & Prove Test Prove procedures.
- Reading and understanding of electrical drawings is important
- Familiarising yourself with builder’s temporary supply mains installations and distribution
- Understanding underground jointing of aluminium and copper conductors as well as insulation and protection methods
- Emergency/exit lighting installation and switching.
- Conduit bending, mini-trunking, and catenary wire installations.
- Cable ladder / Cable Tray / Unistrut – cable support system builds and cable installation (Power and Data cables).
- Domestic/Commercial installation power and lighting cable selections
- Familiar with the installation and wiring of Siemens logo basic installation, and control of extra low voltage LED strip lighting
Programme of Events for Competition
Note – these are subject to change, but you will be advised of any changes.
Wednesday 29 October
Apprentices arrive in Queenstown by 1pm
1.00pm
2.30pm
6.15pm
Lunch
Depart for afternoon activity (KJet)
Depart for Dinner with Apprentices and Judges
Thursday 30 October
8.00am
Day One of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge commences
10.30am
Break for judges marking and to reset modules + Morning Tea Break
11.15am
Round 2 Challenge resumes
1.15pm
Break for judges marking and to reset modules + Lunch Break
2.15pm
Round 3 Challenge resumes
4.15pm
Break for judges marking and to reset modules
4.30pm
Day One of the competition complete
6.00pm
Apprentices and Judges depart for evening activity and dinner
Friday 31 October
8.00am
Day Two of Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge commences (Judges briefing)
8.30am
Round 4 Challenge Commences
10.30am
Break for judges marking and to reset modules + Morning Tea Break
11.15pm
Round 5 Challenge resumes
1.15pm
Break for judges marking and to reset modules + Lunch Break
2.30pm
Challenge Completed – Pack Down
6.00pm
Depart for Awards evening at AJ Hackett Bungy Centre
Saturday 1 November
Apprentices return home.
Accommodation & Travel
- Accommodation has been booked at the Holiday Inn Hotel. All finalists are expected to stay in-house for the duration of the finals.
- Apprentices will have their own rooms and are not required to room share.
- We will arrange travel to and from the venue for the awards evening.
Dress Code for Challenge
You are not only representing yourself, but your company, and the electrical sector. You should wear something that is practical, neat, and tidy.
The dress code for the event is as follows:
Wednesday 29 October 2025
- KJet experience – See KJet FAQ Page
- Welcome drinks and dinner with judges and fellow competitors.
- Dress code: Casual
Thursday 30 October 2025
- During the day: Suitable work attire in which to compete
- Dinner with Master Electricians Regional Managers and fellow competitors
- Evening Dress Code: Smart / Casual
Friday 31 October 2025
- During the day: Suitable work attire in which to compete
- Challenge Awards Evening – AJ Hacket Bungy Centre
- Evening Dress Code: Smart Casual. Please make sure to dress appropriately, as you’ll be on stage in front of key industry representatives and sponsors.
Friends & Family
You are welcome to invite your family/partners to join you during your time in Queenstown, however, aside from your accommodation, will be at your own cost. Additional costs will include (but not limited to):
- Meals
- Additional accommodation requirements
- Travel to and from Queenstown
- Incidentals
If your friends, family, and employer/host would like to attend the awards, tickets can be purchased here.
Videographer/Photographer
When you registered for the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2025 you signed a disclaimer for videography and photography. Our Marketing Team will be requesting some time with each of you for filming promotional footage for the Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge 2026. They will be in touch with you regarding this either leading up to or during the finals competition.
What to bring
- You will need to bring testing equipment that you are familiar with that can test insulation, continuity, and voltage.
- You must supply your own tools including the following:
- Multi-meter
- Insulation resistance tester
- Screwdrivers
- Allen keys
- Pliers
- Measuring equipment
- Small sockets
- Spanners
- Levels
- And anything you wish to use for general terminations
- Any specialist tools that are required to complete tasks will be provided.
- We do have multi-function testers, small socket sets, and hacksaws available, but it is recommended to bring equipment you are familiar with.
Personal Protective Equipment
All competitors must always provide and wear their own personal protective equipment during the challenge according to the below list.
Any competitor without the required equipment will not be permitted to start.
- Safety Glasses
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Clothing suitable for working around live equipment.
Code of Conduct
Just a reminder that all participants have signed the Code of Conduct, which outlines our expectations for professionalism and respectful behaviour throughout the competition. Please ensure your conduct—both on and off the competition floor—reflects the values of the event and the industry. We ask that everyone remains courteous, supportive, and mindful of how their actions represent themselves, their employers, and the competition as a whole.
Contact us
If you need to get in touch you can contact the following:
Aoife Lakeman
Event Manager
Phone: 021 194 1055
Email: aoife@masterelectricians.org.nz
Shane Bell
Technical Manager
Phone: 021 244 4700