What was meant to be a temporary job has turned into a fulfilling career path for Kaitlyn Newsome. Kaitlyn’s civil construction career began when she was working for a labour hire company supplying staff to HEB Construction. She decided she’d like to give the trade a go herself. Kaitlyn, who has also worked as a prison officer, has been with …
From Hi-Vis to High Voltage: Natalee Hughes is lighting the way for women in trades
Attending a Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) event in 2022 opened Natalee Hughes’s eyes to a new world of career possibilities. After attending a GWHV hosted by Horizon Networks in Whakatane, Natalee completed a Gateway programme with Horizon while she was still a student at Trident High School. It just cemented the idea that a career as a line mechanic …
Training Takes Hollie Through the Civil Construction Ranks
When Hollie Atarau was 17, she started at Bay of Plenty’s Waiotahi Contractors as a receptionist. 25 years later she is now the Waiotahi’s quality and environmental advisor, thanks to an unbeatable combination of hard work and good training, through Connexis. In fact, Hollie was one of the first people in New Zealand to complete a brand new qualification in …
King’s Service Medal for Kat Kaiwai
Kat Kaiwai has been honoured with a King’s Service Medal for services to women and the civil construction industry. Kat, who has been a strong supporter of Connexis Girls With Hi-Vis® and a huge advocate for the opportunities offered by training and apprenticeships, is the owner of Tairawhiti Contractors in Ruatoria, on the East Coast. With her team of 38 …
Electrical supply crews amped up for Annual Connection 2023
Wellington, September 2023: The best of New Zealand’s line mechanics and cable jointers will be going head-to-head in Invercargill in September, showing off the skills that keep the country’s electricity connected. Annual Connection 2023, proudly hosted by Southland’s electricity management company, PowerNet in conjunction with Connexis | Te Pūkenga will see line mechanic crews and cable jointers compete in events …
Celebrating women in infrastructure
Young women are the face of the infrastructure industry’s future.
Connecting Aotearoa with a variety of skills
Careers in infrastructure can mean many different things and can lead to work on some of New Zealand’s most important public works.
Meet two Connexis | Te Pūkenga learners working for HEB Construction on the crucial Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, linking Ashhurst and Woodville.
Infrastructure trainees shine bright at Connexis Excellence Awards
PRESS RELEASE Wellington, 2 October 2022: Competition was intense at this year’s Annual Connection in Levin culminating with the electricity supply and telecommunication industry’s shining stars being recognised at the annual Excellence Awards. The Awards were held after the final day of competition which saw line mechanic crews and cable jointers from around the country pitting their skills against each …
Infrastructure skills shortages tackled at grassroots level
From testing water quality to operating an excavator to seeing the inner workings of a wind turbine, New Zealand’s female secondary students have had a taste of careers in the infrastructure sector – and they’ve loved it. ‘Girls with Hi-Vis®‘ (GWHV) has seen events held nationwide throughout June to offer young women the opportunity to visit infrastructure companies in their …
Girls with Hi-Vis® has been bigger and better than ever
This year’s Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV), has been our biggest yet with 15 companies, and 62 schools participating, and more than 653 students taking part in 26 events all around the country. GWHV is a month long campaign which runs every June in which employers open their doors to female high school students to inspire them to see a future for …