Laisa Pickering, originally from Naduru Village in Fiji’s Macuata Province, has made history in Aotearoa New Zealand as the country’s first female instructor in high-voltage live line work-an industry that remains largely male-dominated.

Pickering, who currently works with MITA Consulting Limited, specializes in teaching the installation, maintenance, and repair of live power lines carrying up to 11,000 volts. The position is one of the most technical and hazardous in the electricity sector, requiring specialized training and nerves of steel.

“Sometimes we do work while the lines are still live. That’s a skill you train for,” Pickering told 531pi’s Pacific Days. “Women don’t typically stay in this level of field work long enough to become instructors-they often transition into office-based roles.”

Her journey began with hands-on experience in Fiji’s forestry sector, where she was often the only woman in the field. After moving to New Zealand at age 21, Pickering took on roles in saw-milling and civil construction before discovering her passion for electrical line work.

Early in her career, she faced gender-based discrimination, but quickly proved herself operating heavy machinery.

“They’d say, ‘What’s a woman doing here?’ But once I jumped in the truck or machine, they’d say, ‘Watch out for that Fijian girl.’”

Pickering has remained committed to raising the profile of women in trades, particularly in electricity. In 2022, she led an all-female line mechanic team that placed second at the Annual Connection Line Mechanic Competition, helping challenge outdated ideas around physical strength in the industry.

“Today, tools and machines do the heavy lifting,” she said. “You don’t need brute strength-you need skill and teamwork.”

As she continues to mentor the next generation, Pickering’s story represents not just a personal triumph, but also a broader push for greater diversity and gender equity in trades.