Hawke’s Bay line workers heading to International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas – On The Up

Jimmy Marinus, left, and Pomare Samupo practising a combined climb for the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas in October.

They spend their days climbing power poles, restoring electricity during storms and working around high-voltage lines.

Now, a Hawke’s Bay linework crew is preparing to take those skills to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas, not too far from Wichita, where they will be searching in the sun for another overload.

Powerlines Hawke’s Bay co-owner Jimmy Marinus said it was the first time an Australasian team would compete at the event.

The Wagners Powerlines Hawke’s Bay Lineman’s crew will represent New Zealand on the world stage in October 2026.

The annual competition brings together linemen from around the globe to compete in events based on real-life industry scenarios, including speed climbs, pole rescues and mystery challenges revealed on the day.

“It’s not just about competing. It’s a celebration of the industry and a coming together of the people that work in it,” Marinus told Hawke’s Bay Today.

Now in its fifth year, the Hawke’s Bay company has been involved in the New Zealand version of the event through sponsorship, judging and team entries.

“The idea grew from there,” Marinus said.

“And about three years ago, I decided to go to Kansas to visit the International Lineman’s Rodeo, just to have a look and to see what it was all about.

“And then, we came up with the idea: how cool would it be to enter a team from New Zealand?”

The four-person team heading to America includes Marinus and lineman Pomare Samupo as climbers, Zane Berge as a groundman, and Powerlines Hawke’s Bay co-owner Haden Anderson as the team manager.

The crew trains three times a week after work, focusing on learning new techniques.

“The way we do our work here in New Zealand is a little bit different to the way that it gets done in America,” Marinus said.

In New Zealand, line workers mostly climb poles using ladders, while American crews commonly use climbing hooks strapped to their boots.

Marinus said this first trip was less about winning and more about gaining experience and opening doors for the industry back home.

“We’re playing these guys at their own game, and for us, we’re learning how to play their game.”

Jimmy Marinus, left, and Pomare Samupo. The team trains three times a week, adapting to different methods used in the US.

He said the event was also an opportunity to improve techniques, including how to work more efficiently while maintaining safety standards on the job.

Marinus said linemen regularly faced dangerous conditions, especially during storms and major events such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

“When there’s bad weather, when there’s high winds, when it’s raining, we’re fixing the lines that have potentially been taken down by a tree, which adds extra elements to the job,” he said.

“And then we haven’t even started talking about the hazards of electricity. So, our job has a lot of different hazards ... It brings lots of challenges, but we’re pretty well trained.”

The trip to Kansas comes with high costs, including travel, time away and reduced production while one of the company’s two crews is overseas.

Marinus said the opportunity would not have been possible without sponsors Wagners CFT, Mita Consulting, and Powerlines Hawke’s Bay.