Third place and two category wins for TLC

28 October 2025

The Lines Company (TLC) is thrilled to announce that our line mechanic team placed third overall at this year’s Annual Connection in Christchurch — and took out two category wins along the way.

“This is the third time in three years that we have made a podium finish, following our win in 2023 and second place last year,” said an immensely proud Chief Executive, Mike Fox. “It is a huge achievement and a testament to the skill, teamwork and commitment of our people.”

The TLC crews work in some of the most challenging conditions in Aotearoa, and it is fantastic to see them recognised as among the best line mechanics in the country.

“I’m incredibly proud of the mahi they put in every day to keep our customers connected — and of the dedication they showed in preparing for the competition,” said Mike. “Indeed, the recent weather event we had across our network area showed the skill, dedication and brilliant ingenuity to solutions that are a hallmark of all our line mechanics.

The team won two individual competition categories – Hardware Install and Overhead Conductor Install, as well as third place overall.

“Sixteen EDBs competed this year, so placing third overall is no small feat,” continued Mike. “The event was expertly delivered — even with the added challenge of high winds and wild weather that forced several programme changes through the event.”

Having the country’s top line mechanics in town was fortunate when the severe weather came rolling through the South Island on Thursday. Several teams, including the TLC team offered to stay on to help with the response in the hardest hit network areas – a splendid example of sector collaboration and just how passionate we are as industry to keeping the lights on for communities across Aotearoa. We know they will all be working hard to restore power as safely and quickly as they can.

“I want to acknowledge the rest of our people at TLC who kept things running smoothly back home while the team was training and away at the comp,” said Mike. “It’s an all-of-organisation effort that made the podium finish possible.”

Over the three days of Annual Connection each team completes a series of different activities designed to test their technical knowledge, on-the-job skills, and health and safety practices as well as testing how crew members work together to solve problems, install equipment and deal with emergencies.

“The competition was fierce,” said Mike. “Our congratulations to Top Energy and Omexom for their first and second placings.”

The event is run annually by Connexis, and this year was co-hosted by Orion, Connetics and EA Networks.