About
Energy Trusts of New Zealand Incorporated (ETNZ) is the national organisation of consumer-owned power distribution. We represent regional energy trusts located throughout New Zealand that are owners of companies operating electricity distribution networks (lines businesses) on behalf of local consumers and communities. Member trusts have investments worth several billion dollars in these lines companies, based on conservative regulatory valuations. ETNZ provides an information hub and forum for members to share knowledge within the energy sector, and is funded by a member levy.
Advocating for community ownership and liberalisation of controls
ETNZ's member trusts are responsible for ensuring that the electricity distributors they own operate as successful businesses while meeting trustee responsibilities to ensure the best outcomes for consumers. Under the current heavy regulatory regime, this poses challenges.
ETNZ and our member trusts are advocates for liberalisation of controls that discourage innovation and fail to promote sensible outcomes such as energy efficiency, that will deliver wider benefits to the households and businesses their companies supply.
Why Community Ownership?
A strong focus on consumer interests
Protection of the investments our member trusts are responsible for
Focus on achieving the best outcomes for the people and regions we serve
Profits are channelled through to communities through trust dividends and line charge discounts
Trusts often promote positive local outcomes, such as the uptake of energy efficiency
Recognition in legislation, exempting many trust-owned companies from the strict price controls applied to electricity distribution
Protecting vital intergenerational networks from predatory investors
Our Industry
ETNZ's member trusts own their local electricity distribution companies as part of the energy supply chain. Trusts are responsible for ensuring that the electricity distributors they own operate as successful businesses, but are not involved in day-to-day management of those companies.
OUR PEOPLE
Our Executive Committee
Energy Trusts of New Zealand Inc. is governed by an Executive Committee, elected by members each year.
Richard Allison
Chair
Richard Allison has been on the ETNZ executive for six years and strongly supports the Consumer Trust ownership structure.
"The monopoly characteristics common of electricity lines companies mean they are not exposed to the level of competitive market forces of energy industries. I see that through the Trust structure lines companies profits can be retained locally and that local ownership enables more effective energy related support to the communities where staff also live."
"From the first idea of a wind farm in Mainpowers North Canterbury area I have been a strong advocate. After decades of planning the Mt Cass Wind Farm, providing it proceeds, will be the largest in the South Island and help meet the rapidly growing demand for clean renewable electricity in New Zealand."
Richard has an Agricultural Degree, and with his wife Jeanette, enjoys managing preschools and interests in farming and forestry.
Christine Rupp
Deputy Chair
Christine is the Chair of Counties Energy Trust and has been in this role for the last 5 years.
She has two adult children. Her background is in banking and finance both in New Zealand and overseas. She also owns 2 non-electricity based companies which gives her a broader industry experience in the current issues affecting companies.
She takes an active role in her local community on the Hunua Hall & Domain Committee and the Hunua Tennis Club. She is also the Registrar for the Franklin and Districts JP Association.
Her interests include travel, tennis, gardening, walking, kayaking and spending time with her grandchildren. Christine holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Science.
Christine was elected to the Energy Trusts of NZ (ETNZ) executive committee in March 2022 and since then has taken an active role in increasing the association’s membership.
She believes the Trust ownership by consumers is important as the areas where people have a voice are diminishing. With a strong association directly representing our consumers we have an opportunity to ensure our consumer’s voices are heard.
Wade Devine
Executive
Wade Devine is a registered electrician and has spent the great majority of his career in the practical electrical world both here in New Zealand and overseas. From residential to commercial, construction to heavy industry, as a Power Controller then on to high voltage maintenance systems at New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter, Wade has a huge range of experience.
Elected onto the ETNZ executive in March 2022, Wade has previous governance experience with a national financial co-operative, serving as chair of both Audit/Risk and Governance committees. He has also served as President of the New Zealand Electrical Institute Inc, and the Rotary Club of Invercargill South Inc. Elected to the Southland Power Trust in 2021, Wade also previously served from 2011 to 2015.
"I am passionate about consumer ownership of electricity lines networks to support projects that ensure an affordable, secure network for consumers. I believe investments and excess profits should always benefit consumers. ETNZ should be part of the communications conduit and voice to the regulatory agencies and Government ministers, to ensure our positions on matters that affect our consumers are heard.
Wade is active in the Southland community, holding office bearer positions with non-profit organisations. He is married to Judi and they have two adult sons.
William Oliver
Executive
Born and raised in Ōtorohanga and now farming in the Rangitoto district, William is the Chair of Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust, and also has governance roles in the agricultural sector.
William joins ETNZ as an Executive on secondment in February 2023 pending review and member .
Lichelle Guyan
Executive
Lichelle has served as a Trustee for the Waitaki Power Trust for three years and was elected to the executive in May 2023. She is currently a self-employed management consultant/contractor with a wide range of leadership experience in retail, banking, central and local government. Lichelle also chairs the Stronger Waitaki Stewardship Group, which is a community-led initiative focused on community safety and wellbeing.
The electricity industry is currently undergoing a transformation, with significant investment required to adapt and ensure resilience. Community ownership retains a level of local control over future decision-making. ETNZ plays a vital role in supporting Trusts and Trustees in understanding their roles and responsibilities.
Our Management
The Energy Trusts of New Zealand Inc. is managed by an Executive Officer and secretary.
Cathie Bell
Stakeholder Manager
Cathie became stakeholder manager for ETNZ in June 2024. She brings more than 30 years' experience in communications and engagement work across many sectors, including public sector and Government regulating the energy sector.
Cathie worked for several Cabinet Ministers, including a stint with the Energy Minister, during a high-profile electricity supply crisis. She has a strong interest in the energy sector, particularly in renewables and alternative energy.
She owns her own business, based in Marlborough, working as a communications consultant, helping companies and organisations in Marlborough and nationally to tell their stories.
Cathie has previously been a trustee of the Marlborough Electric Power Trust, and an executive member of ETNZ.
Jonathan Kay
Adviser
Jonathan joined the ETNZ Executive as our Adviser in November 2022 and brings over 25 years’ experience working in the New Zealand electricity sector in a variety of roles spanning retail, networks, metering and adjacent technology sectors. He has held senior leadership positions with Vector, Unison Networks and Landis+Gyr.
Jonathan is currently a Director of two electricity companies and is independent Chair of the Electricity Networks Association’s Smart Technology Working Group.
Jonathan has been at the forefront of change in the sector and has worked with a number of companies looking to commercialise emerging technologies as we move to a low emissions future.
Jonathan has a Master’s degree in Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Finance.
He lives in Auckland with his wife Lisa.
Lyn Mackay
Secretary
Lyn has 40 years’ experience in administration having worked in both Australia and New Zealand. She started working as an office manager for an Insurance Adviser in Dunedin in 1997 after her children began school and is still in that role today.
As secretary, Lyn is the first point of contact between ETNZ and our members and carries out general administration duties along with organising conferences.
Lyn lives in North Taieri near Mosgiel on a rural property with her husband Steven. Their three grown-up children live around New Zealand and in Australia. Her interests include running, entertaining, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Energy Trusts of New Zealand Incoporated
The collective voice of consumer-owned power distribution in New Zealand.
P.O.Box 5819, Dunedin 9054
secretary@etnz.org.nz
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