Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is an award agreed by the EEA Executive Committee and recognises a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the electricity supply industry in New Zealand or overseas. Judging is in accordance with the criteria below.

It is a rare accolade; there are now just 21 recipients in almost a century of this industry body’s lifetime. This recognises an outstanding contribution to the power engineering industry by a visionary leader who has brought significant benefit to our electricity supply industry, and to New Zealand.

Demonstrated excellence and innovation in electricity supply industry engineering, safety, project, governance or other activity.
Demonstrated ability to develop, articulate and implement visionary change benefiting the New Zealand electricity supply industry.
Contribution to professional, community and other activities outside employment.
Demonstrated high standards of ethical and personal behaviour.
Contribution and commitment to the development of others within the industry.
The Awards Committee reserves the right not to make an Award should there be no suitable candidate for the Award in any year.

2025 Meritorious Service Award – Graeme Johnson

Graeme has worked in the electricity supply industry for 40 years, having many and varied roles from lineman to company director and currently the HSEQ Manager for Omexon.

Graeme’s contribution to the industry is outstanding. As a member, Graeme has been actively involved with EEA since 2010 when he joined the Safety Standards and Procedures Group (SSPG). In 2019, Graeme became Chair of the SSPG where he is a respected and inclusive leader striving to continually enhance safety in the industry. Graeme is also a valued member of the National Committee for Live Work.

Graeme has worked hard across the industry to support development of our workforce, including his involvement in standard development and reviews, the development of industry qualifications with Connexis, as an Electrical Workers Registration Board examiner for Line Mechanics and a registered workplace assessor. Graeme is also responsible for introducing the industry to LineFIT physical assessment and injury prevention program developed to address the high physical demands and reduce the musculoskeletal injuries that are common in the industry. More recently he has spearheaded the adoption of improved controls for Low Voltage work including the use of Low Voltage bonding aligning Low Voltage work with our already proven HV work methods.

Graeme has been a judge at NZ business awards and Annual Connection Line Mechanics Competition. His reach is not only within Aotearoa; he is an active member of the Australian Live Work Forum and has presented at the National Electricity Contractors Association in Philadelphia, USA.

Graeme is passionate about worker safety and dedicated to raising the bar in industry best practice. He is a huge champion of the SM-EI, and of the EEA’s role in continually improving safety guidance, learning, and industry engagement. His approach is to keep the “why” front of mind to ensure our industry prioritises safety and never takes it for granted.

In 2010 he received the ESITO Contribution to Industry Award and in 2018 the EEA Professional Development Award.