Winners of the Annual Apprentice Challenge were announced at the 2025 NZ Electrical Conference, attended by Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, in Queenstown at the end of October.
Three talented apprentices proudly lifted the Challenge’s titles after a hard-fought contest involving more than 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 from July to September.
Apprentices across the country competed in two divisions, the top five selected in each division for the finals.:
Industrial Apprentice of the Year 2025, Apprentice Challenge – the winner is Hugo Carey from Nairn Electrical Ltd Christchurch.
Hugo Carey
Domestic/Commercial Apprentice of the Year 2025, Apprentice Challenge – the winner is Andy Cowan from Aotea Electric Canterbury.
Andy Cowan
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
Aidan Hodgkinson
This year’s showdown held at the NZ Electrical Conference 2025 — Be Future Ready— came as Master Electricians is celebrating 100 years of representing electrical contractors and contributing to the electrical industry
“New Zealand, which is undergoing transformative change as the New Zealand economy electrifies in the global energy transition,” says Chief Executive Alexandra Vranyac-Wheeler.
“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.”
The competitors were tested on real-world challenges such as motor starter wiring, fault diagnostics, and PLC programming — delivery under high-pressure, hands-on learning experiences that reflect the demands of modern electrical work.
“These apprentices have demonstrated the skill, dedication, and professionalism that underpin a strong and resilient construction sector,” says Penk.
“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.
“It’s fantastic to see Master Electricians is fostering talent that strengthens the workforce, raises industry standards, and creates opportunities for growth,” the Minister says.
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.
“With new technologies reshaping how we live and work, the role of electricians is becoming more creative, sustainable, and essential than ever. As New Zealand’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.”
Master Electricians New Zealand, the nearly 100-year-old industry organisation, leads education, advocacy, and support for its 1300-strong membership (representing approximately 10,000 individual electricians around New Zealand) and the wider market.
