9 October, 2015
More electricity industry awards for Northpower
Northpower employees have again been recognised for excellence in the electricity sector at the annual Connexis
Excellence awards in Hamilton last night.
Steve Rathe from Northpower’s Warkworth depot was the overall winner of the Cable Jointing Competition for the second
consecutive year – success gained under the coaching of Northpower Trade Specialist Richard Ashby.
Another standout performer was Kotua Phillips from Northpower’s Rotorua-based Transmission team, who won the Advanced
Trainee of the year Award.
Carl Groshinksi, Northpower Network’s Operational Manager in Whangarei was a finalist in the Contribution to Industry
Award; Auckland’s Epati Fau was a finalist in the Distribution Trainee of the Year Award; while another of Rotorua’s
Transmission team, Tinirau McCauley, was a finalist in the Transmission Trainee of the Year award.
Northpower’s Wellington-based Line Mechanic team – consisting of Coach Brett Pou, Manager Damo Hoffman, Foreman Steve
Roygard, Team Members Drew Rameka and, Finau Taumoefolau, along with Warkworth Trainee Robert Bright – were in the top
three of a category won by Unison in Hawke’s Bay. The Northpower crew did however collect the following minor prizes –
Testing for Safety, Electrical Theory and the Power Pole Dismantling Event.
Northpower’s General Manager of Business Support Barbara Harrison says the awards celebrate the most outstanding
tradespeople and trainees in the electricity sector.
“This is a really good result for Northpower. We consistently perform well here and this week has been no exception,”
says Ms Harrison.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the support provided by the Managers of these people, along with our Trade
Specialist team who supported those who entered the competition. It has been a great team effort yet again and
encouraging seeing the on-going development of talent within Northpower.”
ENDS