Hon Louise Upston
Minister for Social Development and Employment

A report released today shows coordinated action is needed to build New Zealand’s energy workforce and meet growing demand across the energy sector, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

“The ReEnergise 26 report shows that without the right people, in the right roles, at the right time, we risk slowing growth and missing opportunities across the energy sector”, Louise Upston says.

Re-Energise 26 maps workforce needs across the full energy sector and identifies key challenges including sectoral uncertainty, uncoordinated workforce initiatives, training pipeline issues, pressure to fill critical roles, and bottlenecks in supervision, mentoring and assessment.

“This report is clear about the challenges facing the sector, but it also points to real opportunities. It is now more important than ever that we support talent development across the energy sector.

“A more unified approach could help get New Zealanders into work, strengthen pathways into energy sector careers, and ensure employers can access the skills they need.”

Government, industry and training providers all have a role to play in strengthening the energy workforce, including improving career visibility and building clearer pathways into energy sector jobs.

“Our Government is focused on fixing the basics and building the future and we need a strong pipeline of talent, better connections between job seekers and employers, and training that gives people the skills they need for sustainable careers.”

The report also highlights the importance of timing, particularly in regions experiencing declining industries, where skilled workers risk being lost before new energy opportunities are available.

“The Government welcomes the clarity and evidence this report provides, and looks forward to working with industry, educators, regions and communities to turn these insights into action,” Louise Upston says.

Re-Energise 26 was produced by Energy Resources Aotearoa and the Electricity Engineers’ Association, with data and analytical insights provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The report is available at: https://eea.co.nz/what-we-do/projects/re-energise-2026/

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