John, Connetics Design Engineer, has brought his yellow lunchbox to work with him every day since his daughter, Belinda, gifted it to him in 1981 when she was just 16.
John is a registered Electrician, NZCE (Electrical) and Registered Engineering Associate. He has been in the electrical industry since 1954, and his lunchbox has seen many lunch rooms in this time.
He started with a 10,000 hour electrical fitter's apprenticeship with the then State Hydro Electrical Department (later to become the NZ Electricity Department). On completion of his apprenticeship, John was involved in the installation of electrical equipment at the Wairakei Geothermal Station, the Tokaanu, Roxburgh, Benmore, Aviemore, Tekapo B, Ohau A and Ohau B Hydro Stations. During this period of 21 years, he moved from being an electrical fitter to an electrical inspector.
On moving to Christchurch, he became employed for 14 years in distribution work with the then Lyttelton Borough Council Electricity Department, Port Hills Energy and Powermark. John then joined Southpower Contracting (later to become Connetics) where he has been employed for the last 24 years. Initially he was appointed to the position of Technical Support and Pricing Coordinator. Then with the formation of Connetics, a design section was setup and he took up the position of Design Engineer.
John lives a very active lifestyle. He and his wife, Patricia, are keen Rock N Roll dancers and have been participants in the Christchurch Rock N Roll Club over the last thirty years. They danced in NZ and Aussie National Competitions between 1992 and 2011. In 2002, at the age of 65, they won the NZ gold medal in the Diamond Section for the over sixties. When they aren't dancing, they enjoy going on cruises with their 'RnR' friends. They have cruised around the Islands of Tahiti, Greece, The Mediterranean, Hawaii and from Singapore to Tokyo taking in Vietnam, Taiwan and parts of Japan.
Patricia and John have four children, Michael, Karen, Belinda and Paul, plus seven grand children!
It is clear that John lives life to the full. His bright, yellow presence at Connetics will be greatly missed. He has made a positive impact on many people and has built life long friendships with colleagues.
Aaron, from our Design and Engineering team, thinks of John as a mentor, and says he has "spent more time with John in (his) entire life than with anyone else."
John's last day with Connetics was Friday 22 March. We wish him all the best for his future adventures with Patricia, his friends, children, grandchildren and his yellow lunchbox.