ECANZ’s origins can be traced backed as far as 1925 to that of the New Zealand Electrical Federation (NZEF). The NZEF along with the New Zealand Electrical Wholesalers’ Federation, would meet regularly to discuss common matters that affected both the electrical contracting and wholesaling industries. The relationship continued until June 15th 1933, when the local branch member associations gathered to consider the changing electrical industry and how best to address the needs of all participants. 

 

At this meeting, it was agreed to disband the NZEF and create a new, more inclusive federation which would encourage greater industry participation; primarily from that of electrical wholesalers, retailers, and those who had a common interest in the electrical industry. A resolution was passed in 1933 and the NZEF became the New Zealand Electrical Traders’ Federation. 

 

The period from the mid 1940’s to the mid 1960’s saw many changes take place within the federation. The New Zealand Electrical Traders’ Federation adopted new rules and a name change in 1946, reverting back the “New Zealand Electrical Federation” which consisted of membership from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago Contractor associations, as well as Auckland and Wellington Wholesaler associations. The relationship between the wholesaling and contracting associations became increasingly strained over the ensuing years, with at times strong differences emerging in desired outcomes between the groups. 

 

The tensions came to a head in 1957 when the contracting associations met independently of the wholesalers to discuss the formation of a new federation of contracting associations. The AGM later that year approved the change and consequently the New Zealand Electrical Contractors Association was formed. Two years on in 1959, The New Zealand Electrical Contractors Association became the New Zealand Electrical Contractor’s Federation Incorporated (NZECF) and in terms of purpose, goals and objectives this is considered by many to be the birth of ECANZ. By 1965, Waikato and South Canterbury contracting associations were the last associations to enter into the organisation, bringing the total association branches to ten.

 

 

In the mid 1980’s the leaders became concerned with the complexity of the federation’s structure, where the branch associations and various activities were starting to become fragmented. A comprehensive review of the organisational configuration was undertaken and a resulting report tabled in 1986, which proposed to form one national body. After being tabled at the AGM this proposal was duly accepted, and in 1988 the ten association branches were brought together via a national association; the NZECF was replaced by the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand.