ABOUT US
PJL was founded in 1998, as a small electrical distribution contractor in Christchurch, primarily as an approved underground contractor to Orion NZ Ltd. PJL was one of the first established independent contractors in New Zealand in regards to cable jointing in the distribution sector. A proud legacy which remains a core and fundamental part of our business today.
Project after project, PJL performed and transformed from its humble beginnings into a preferred electrical contractor to a wide range of clients in the South Island of New Zealand.
PJL has over 20 years’ experience, and a shareholder/owner philosophy, we are a well-established group with a proven ability to successfully undertake electrical and specialty civil projects. Our capability is proven across the South Island in the hundreds of projects that we’ve completed over the years.
PJL stands for the following principles and values:
Pono/Trust and Belief - We value trust as our major currency
Whanaungatanga/Relationship and Kinship - We value kinship and build long term intergenerational relationships and partnerships
Manaakitanga/Hospitality, Support, and Caring - We respect and serve the needs of our clients, partners, and people by providing quality regarding our product, support, and services
Auaha/Innovation and improvement - We value evolution and never-ending improvement
KEY STAFF
General Manager – Rawiri Karena
Rawiri is second-generation Director and Shareholder of PJL as his father, Wi Karena founded PJL in 1998. Rawiri started at PJL in 2007– comprised as a trade qualified Cable Jointer, Project Manager, and Operations Manager, before taking over the role as General Manager. Rawiri’s experience at all levels of the business is highly crucial to the way PJL operates. Rawiri also begun PJL’s journey into a Tiriti-Led business, aligning our values with how we want to act and operate.
Financial Controller - Girlie Bustillo
Girlie has worked in the finance and administration sector for a number of years including offshore roles as Senior Auditor and Head of Treasury. Girlie started with PJL in 2019 and leads the PJL finance and administration team while working closely with the Executive Chair and General Manager on key financial matters.
Senior Estimator - Kevin Tagle
Kevin is an electrical engineer who is responsible for estimation and tendering for the group. Kevin brings strong electrical knowledge into the group through his experience in project management, sometimes managing some of our high-profile projects such as the North Canterbury street lighting contract and 11kv & 33kv cable relocation works on behalf of Orion NZ Ltd and MainPower NZ Ltd. Kevin is also a member of Engineering New Zealand.
Project Manager – Andrew Jarden
Andrew started at PJL in 2012 as an apprentice, at one time studying under our General Manager. On the completion of his apprenticeship in cable jointing, Andrew quickly progressed to team leader, often leading our more complicated electrical projects. In late 2020, Andrew followed in the footsteps of our General Manager and made the move from our field team into Management as a Project Coordinator. Since then, he has quickly progressed to Project Manager managing our project works on the Orion NZ Ltd network from small LV connections to large HV reconfigurations.
Project Manager – Malcolm McClintock
Malcolm joined PJL in 2022 as a Project Manager working closely with our Management and Field teams. Malcolm started his career in the electrical industry in 1975 as a line Mechanic and progressed to cable jointing where he gained experience in 33kv, 11KV and low voltage PILCA and XLPE cable jointing including some experience with oil filled 66KV cable jointing. Malcolm has been involved with supervision and project management for the past 20 years working on major projects on both Orion NZ Ltd and MainPower NZ Ltd networks.
Operations Manager – Rachel Barber
Rachel joined PJL in 2022 as its Human Resources Advisor after a lengthy stint with Trade Assist as a Recruitment Consultant. Rachel was a key contact of PJL during this time, often supplying temporary staff to supplement our civil teams on a regular basis. Many of the staff that were placed with us are now fully contracted employees. Soon after, Rachel's tenacity and work ethic earned her the open role of Operations Manager. As apart of this role, Rachel supports our project team looking after plant and resource requirements for PJL while also having a direct impact on PJL's HS&E's functions.
Electrical Design Engineer – Gagandeep Singh
Deep (as he is commonly referred as) joined PJL in 2022 as our Electrical Design Engineer. Deep came to us via Nelson, working for local contractor as an Electrical Service Engineer working on the Street Lighting contract on their behalf for the NDC, TDC, and NZTA. Deep also worked in Christchurch on the SFR projects for multiple electrical contractors on the Orion network. Deep will undertake all aspects of PJL’s design capabilities with his strong electrical background and experience and knowledge of AutoCAD.
Health and Safety Manager - Casey Tahau-Young
Casey joined PJL in 2023 as a Health and Safety Manager with an extensive background in the health and safety sector with a wealth of knowledge from the electrical distribution industry from her prior role at Counties Energy. Casey ensures that workplace environments are not just operational but are also safe and adhere strictly to legislation and regulations mitigating any potential hazards.
