Pioneer Energy

13/10/2026

⚡ Building skills and safety

Behind the scenes, our teams are continually building their skills to keep our energy infrastructure running safely and reliably.

Recently, our Central Team completed high voltage switching practical training at the Fraser Hydro Scheme, supported by expert guidance from Darren Hart.

Members of our HSW team also joined the session to observe the work firsthand and develop a better understanding of the processes, procedures and safety controls involved in high-voltage switching.

Practical, hands-on training like this is essential to ensuring our teams are confident and prepared when working with high voltage systems.

Check out some photos from the day below

24/09/2026

🌸 Meet Our Blossom Festival Float Princess! 🌸

The Alexandra Blossom Festival is happening this weekend, and the countdown is well and truly on!

We’re excited to introduce Elsie, our Float Princess for this year’s parade. Elsie is a Year 12 student at Dunstan High School and is looking forward to being part of this special Central Otago tradition.

Elsie also has a special connection to Pioneer. She is the daughter of Tony, who has been part of our team for 15 years.

In the video below, Elsie shares when she first wanted to become a Float Princess, why the role appealed to her, what makes the Blossom Festival special and one of her favourite memories from the event.

We can’t wait to see everything come together this weekend. Keep an eye out for our float in the parade and give Elsie and the team a wave! 👋🌸

22/09/2026

Creating Pathways for Rangatahi

We’re pleased to be re-establishing our Rangatahi Programme at Aniwhenua Hydroelectric Power Station, giving local young people the opportunity to explore a career in the energy sector.

Through the programme, rangatahi spend time alongside our mechanical, electrical and civil teams. They can see how a hydroelectric power station operates, learn about the different roles involved and gain valuable exposure to a working environment, with safety at the centre of the experience.

It’s a chance to open doors, build confidence and help rangatahi discover where their interests and skills could take them. We’re grateful to our Aniwhenua team for sharing their knowledge and making participants feel welcome.

We’re also exploring a six-week summer opportunity for school leavers aged 18 to 24. The details are still being developed, so watch this space for more information.

16/09/2026

Engineering Internships | Summer 2026/27 ⚡

We’re hiring two paid engineering interns to join Pioneer Energy Renewables:

⚡ Electrical Intern, Christchurch

For a final-year Electrical or Mechatronics student. You’ll help catalogue instrumentation, develop equipment datasheets and create P&IDs across our renewable energy sites.

⚙️ Mechanical Intern, Christchurch or Alexandra

For a final-year Mechanical or Mechatronics student. You’ll update P&IDs and complete hands-on surveys of our thermal and renewable energy assets.

Both internships are full-time and run from mid-November 2026 to early February 2027.

Know someone who might be a good fit for either role? Please share our careers page with them

Learn more and apply through our website:

Engineering InternElectrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics - Summer 2026/27 This is a paid summer internship doing the detailed engineering work behind real renewable energy infrastructure. You’ll build the technical picture of the instrumentation and assets across our hydro, thermal and other sites...

07/09/2026

🌿Growing Our People

At Pioneer, we believe in supporting our people to grow in all aspects of life - not just at work.

Each year, we offer team members the opportunity to take part in Outward Bound New Zealand, building confidence, resilience and strong connections along the way.

One of our team completed the course and described it as a truly rewarding experience - stepping outside their comfort zone, forming lasting friendships, and gaining a fresh perspective.

Set in a stunning natural environment, it’s an opportunity to reset, reflect and grow.

We’re proud to support experiences like this for our people.
Check out some of Kim’s photos below 📸

31/08/2026

🧗Working at Heights Refresher – Aniwhenua

The team recently completed a Working at Heights refresher course, tailored specifically to the Aniwhenua site.

Training covered a range of practical rescue scenarios including ascending and descending rescues using a rescue system, self-rescue situations, and techniques using only rope and limited equipment. The team also practiced abseiling and setting up restraint systems.

It was a great opportunity to refresh skills, build confidence, and ensure everyone is prepared to work safely at height. Check out the photos below from the training.

20/08/2026

Behind the scenes at Speedys Road Hydro Station ⚡

A recent transformer refurbishment project at our Speedys Road Hydro Power station has helped improve the long-term reliability of the asset and return it safely to service.

Routine dissolved gas analysis (DGA) testing had identified issues with the transformer oil, prompting a detailed inspection. Local contractors from Te Kūiti and Hamilton worked together to remove the 8-tonne transformer from site, complete an internal inspection, and carry out repairs.

During the inspection, burnt connections were discovered on the internal earth switch, which was removed as part of the refurbishment. The team also identified significant corrosion in the transformer oil bund, leading to the installation of a newly fabricated steel bund by Pitcorn Engineering.

The transformer has now been returned to site and recommissioned, with ongoing oil monitoring planned to confirm the issue has been fully resolved.

A big thank you to everyone involved for the teamwork, problem-solving, and commitment to maintaining safe and reliable operations.

10/08/2026

Supporting the communities where we operate 🌱

There’s still time to apply for the Jericho Community Fund, with just under three weeks remaining before applications close on 31 August 2026.

The two-yearly funding opportunity is open to not-for-profit organisations and community groups in the communities surrounding our Jericho Wind Farm Project.

The fund will support projects and initiatives that create a positive local impact across health, education, sport, volunteering services, and sustainability.

It’s part of Pioneer Energy’s commitment to supporting the communities where we operate, with similar funding opportunities being rolled out around our other sites and energy assets.

If your organisation is making a difference in the Jericho/Monowai area, we’d love to hear from you.

See below for more information and how to apply. Applications close 31 August 2026.

04/08/2026

Keeping critical energy infrastructure running at Dunedin Energy Centre 🔧

A major refurbishment project has recently been completed on the wood fuel supply auger system on the roof at the Dunedin Energy Centre.

Stretching nearly 24 metres across the roof and made up of nine sections, the auger is a critical piece of plant which conveys woodchip fuel into each of the eight boiler feed hoppers. Without the auger, the boilers would run out of fuel and steam supplies to customers, including the Dunedin Hospital and the University of Otago, would be interrupted.

With the existing system reaching end of life, new augers and a motor gearbox were manufactured, delivered to site, and carefully lifted into place by Hiab. Extensive planning and preparation went into the project, including coordination with the fuel supply team to ensure all hoppers were full to capacity to maximise the time available for completing the changeover.

Thanks to the teamwork and expertise of contractors, operators, manufacturers, and support crews, the replacement was completed smoothly and without issue.

Great work by everyone involved in helping keep this important renewable energy facility operating safely and reliably.

27/07/2026

Investing in the communities where we operate 🌱

Applications are open for the Aniwhenua Community Fund, a funding opportunity available every two years to not-for-profit organisations and community groups in the communities surrounding our Aniwhenua Hydro Scheme.

The fund supports local projects and initiatives that create a positive impact across health, education, sport, volunteer services and sustainability.

The Aniwhenua Community Fund is the first of several community funds Pioneer Energy is introducing across the regions where we operate, with similar opportunities planned for communities surrounding our other sites and energy assets.

If your organisation is making a difference in the Aniwhenua area, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more and apply below. Applications close 31 August 2026.