In 2024, our stakeholders sent us a clear message about the importance of a workforce capability. The call to action was for EEA to invest more time in this area and take leadership in aligning the sector on workforce strategy.
The Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) has joined with Energy Resources Aotearoa to develop a comprehensive 2025 national energy workforce report and action plan.
The 2025 Re-Energise project builds on the 2022 Re-Energise report that recommended changes to right fit New Zealand’s future workforce.
Change is a constant, and since 2022 we have seen major economic, political, regulatory, and technological shifts. Workforce needs and priorities have changed.
Ideally, Re-Energise is a living document that regularly refreshes progress, priorities and actions, and is continually improved.
Evidence is key: building a robust action plan that accurately reflects the needs of our workforce and the communities we serve
The first step is a comprehensive stocktake of New Zealand’s training landscape; workforce trends and needs, and learnings from international success stories. E
We’ve had a tremendous response to the detailed survey and interviews, with about 100 organisations taking the time to give us the information and data necessary. That’s nearly 50% more organisations than last time in 2022.
This time around we have government in the tent and eagerly waiting for the reports’ insights and recommendations to feed into reforms across education, immigration, energy and labour markets.
And this is not just a report – it’s a plan of action and most of the effort will be directed at delivering this from 2026.
Working together to support the future workforce
EEA and Energy Resources co-lead the report, each contributing sector-specific insights via their own industry’s data and steering groups.
For the electricity supply industry, EEA again partners with Waihanga Ara Rau to lead data gathering and industry collaboration.
We also have support from the Ministry for Business, Immigration and Employment, Energy Efficiency Conservation Agency, Venture Taranaki and Master Electricians.
Re-Energise 2025 Steering Groups
| Electricity Supply | Energy Resources |
| Mike Grumball Waihanga Ara Rau | Allie Hemara-Wahanui, Te Pukenga |
| David Humm Canterbury Uni | Jo Neal, Methanex |
| Andrea O’Brien Northpower | Jonathan Young & Will Edwards, Ara Ake |
| Cameron McKay Powerco | Keri Fleming, OMV |
| Tracy Evans-Tracy Connetics | Nicky Riches, Hiringa Energy |
| Greg McBain Genesis | Rachel Simpson, BusinessNZ |
| Brad Rooney ElectroNet | Sean Markham, Venture Taranaki |
| Mark Jacob Beca | Neroli McDougal, Clarus |
| Jo Parag EECA | Chanon Cations, Worley |
| Megan Baker ENA | Giacomo Caleffi, Taranaki Offshore Partnership |
| Mel Whiting, Powerco |