The annual Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, the country’s showcase competition for apprentice electricians, has been decided in a thrilling display of talent at the national finals in Queenstown.
Winners of the competition were announced at the 2025 NZ Electrical Conference, attended by Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, at the Master Electricians Awards ceremony at AJ Hackett Bungie Centre, Kawarau Gorge, Friday, 31 October.
Three talented apprentices proudly lifted the Challenge’s titles after a hard-fought contest involving over 300 apprentices across seven regional locations and then national finals in Queenstown involving 10 finalists. The competition, which is backed by 105 employers, was battled out from Dunedin to Auckland in the preliminary regional rounds (July to September).
Apprentices across the country competed in two divisions (the top 5 selected in each division for the finals) and vied for the esteemed titles of:
- Industrial Apprentice of the Year 2025, Apprentice Challenge – the winner is Hugo Carey from Nairn Electrical Ltd Christchurch.
- Domestic/Commercial Apprentice of the Year 2025, Apprentice Challenge – the winner is Andy Cowan from Aotea Electric Canterbury.
A third title – the Initiative Award – is evaluated on how the finalists present themselves, the initiative they apply to health and safety, and how they conduct themselves within a competition setting. The Initiative Award winner in the 2025 Apprentice Challenge is Aidan Hodgkinson from Kiwi Lumber Masterton.
This year’s showdown held at the NZ Electrical Conference 2025 (themed Be Future Ready) had an inspiring historical backdrop. Electrical industry organisation Master Electricians is celebrating 100 years of representing electrical contractors and contributing to the electrical industry in New Zealand, which is undergoing transformative change as the New Zealand economy electrifies in the global energy transition.
100 years from now will see electrical infrastructure advance far beyond anything we can imagine – and electrical contractors need to upskill for this advancing future. Across four modules, the 2025 Apprentice Challenge competitors were tested on real-world challenges such as motor starter wiring, fault diagnostics, and PLC programming – delivering high-pressure, hands-on learning experiences that reflect the demands of modern electrical work.
Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, commented: “These apprentices have demonstrated the skill, dedication, and professionalism that underpin a strong and resilient construction sector. Their success reflects the depth of talent emerging across New Zealand and the value of high-quality training supported by industry and educators working together.
“As they take the next steps in their careers, I’m confident the experience they’ve gained through the 2025 Apprentice Challenge will serve them well.
“It’s fantastic to see Master Electricians is fostering talent that strengthens the workforce, raises industry standards, and creates opportunities for growth.”
The NZ Electrical Conference 2025 programme, organised by Master Electricians, incorporated transformative developments in the NZ Electrical sector. Master Electricians CEO Alexandra Vranyac-Wheeler is driving efforts to diversify the sector and expand opportunities across the trade, something which the competition plays an important role in.
Ms. Vranyac-Wheeler says the Apprentice Challenge competition continues to grow in both size and significance at a time when the trade has never been more vital.
“The Apprentice Challenge is on an exciting trajectory of growth and transformation. With new technologies reshaping how we live and work, the role of electricians is becoming more creative, sustainable, and essential than ever. We’re proud to see a wider range of talent rising through the ranks and pushing boundaries in this competition.”
“As Aotearoa’s infrastructure evolves and the need for skilled tradespeople grows, apprentices are more vital than ever. They’re not just learning a trade, they’re powering our communities, enabling innovation, and building a smarter, more sustainable future.”