Counties Energy is your local energy solutions provider responsible for building, maintaining, and operating the electricity network that connects over 49,000 homes, farms, and businesses across the region.
We’re 100% locally owned by the Counties Energy Trust and we’ve been operating for almost 100 years.
As our business transitions into a smarter energy system or Distribution System Operator (DSO), our communities will gain access to a wider range of energy choices and become more active participants in New Zealand’s low carbon evolution.
We’re on a mission to unlock our full energy potential through the power of our people and our communities to shape our energy future.
Our goals are to:
- Be robust and reliable so we can continue serving our community
- Unlock new energy experiences for our customers
- Help shape our region’s energy future
- Deliver a smarter energy future that changes lives for the better
Our values
Below are the five core values that we live by. These values reflect who we are, what’s important to us, and how we deliver forward-thinking energy solutions to our customers, partners, and communities, now and in the future.
It only happens if it’s safe.
We have a safety-first culture for our people, our environment, and our customers.
Having the customer at the heart of everything we do.
We treat our customers with respect, empathy and transparency, to provide a service that exceeds expectations.
Dedicated and primed to serve our community.
Always ready to go, rain or shine – we are here to serve our community and keep the lights on.
At our best with everyone, always.
Create a safe environment by showing empathy and respect towards others, whether they are customers or colleagues.
Having the grit and courage to take on big challenges.
Solving big problems and challenging the status quo with bold and progressive ideas.
Kaitiaki of our resources and our environment.
We protect and preserve our environment by minimising our impact. We’re taking care of today so that future generations can thrive.
Meet our team
Our business leaders are committed to driving Counties Energy forward – collaboratively, robustly, and sustainably. They ensure we stay at the forefront of our industry, while continuing to put our people and our planet at the core of all that we do.
Our Executive Leadership Team
Our executive team leads by example to bring to life our our core values every day. Their leadership, guidance and encouragement ensure that our business is fit for purpose today and tomorrow. With nearly 100 years under our belt, Counties Energy is focused on staying relevant for the next 100 years.
Lorne commenced his role as Group Chief Financial Officer in March 2025 following an internal promotion. Prior to joining Counties Energy in 2016, Lorne held Finance roles across various industries including manufacturing, packaging and distribution. Along with leading the Finance Team, Lorne acts as Company Secretariat and is a Chartered Accountant in both New Zealand and Canada.
Judy joined Counties Energy as Chief Executive in October 2017. Prior to this, Judy had full operational responsibility for Auckland Airport, including rescue fire, engineering, utilities, forecasting and the processing of close to 20 million passengers per year. Prior to Auckland Airport, Judy held senior management positions in several industries, including Fonterra, New Zealand Police, AFFCO and Unitec.
Tracey is responsible for developing the people and competency needed to support the business reach its goal of exceptional business performance. She ensures the company people strategy align effectively with the organisational goals. Tracey has more than 20 years experience in human resources and safety across government, legal, hospitality, logistics and automotive industries – both nationally and internationally.
Dale joined Counties Energy in 2015, fresh from 5 years in infrastructure management at Tenix where he had a strong focus on the Powerco contract. His Tenix team of 350 people across 11 North Island depots, provided end-to-end fault response and capital development projects. Dale has a background in telecommunications. He spent 9 years as Head of Operations for Downer EDI where he managed 1600 people across New Zealand. His goal here is a safe, reliable, cost effective network that services the fast growing Counties area well.
As General Manager Commercial, Andrew provides commercial and regulatory governance. Andrew has 24 years experience in the infrastructure sector, having held management and analytical roles with Telecom, Hamilton International Airport, WEL Networks, TelstraClear, Ministry of Transport and the Electricity Supply Association NZ.
Paul commenced in his role as General Manager Network in August 2019, bringing with him valuable experience in leadership, asset management and technology. With more than 20 years’ experience in the utilities and industrial sectors, including senior management at our southern neighbour WEL Networks and with Transpower, Paul has a wealth of industry-specific knowledge. As General Manager Network, Paul has overall responsibility for the planning, design and delivery of our entire network.
Moonis commenced his role in the senior leadership team in March 2021 after an internal promotion from Group Head of Technology and Product. He has worked with organisations such as AECOM Australia, Vector, Mercury and Transpower, working on large scale Australian Defence, infrastructure, renewable energy and technology transformation initiatives. He is also an experienced strategist specialising in new energy technologies, corporate strategy, M&As and corporate venture building.
Our Board of Directors
Our board oversees and guides our strategic direction. With their visionary leadership, we are dedicated to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions for our communities.
Jonathan is a senior executive and leader with significant experience within the electricity, infrastructure and technology sectors. He is currently Chair at Waipā Networks Limited. He is also the Director of multiple organisations, including Network Waitaki Limited, Waipa Growth Limited, Lone Wolf Enterprises, Horizon Energy Limited and related companies and Whitestone Contracting Limited.
Keith brings a breadth of capabilities gained as a Chairman, Company Director and Managing Director, with governance experience in globally and locally listed businesses. He has worked across all major geographic markets – USA, Canada and Latin America, as well as Asia Pacific and Central Europe. He is chair of Counties Energy, Director of Acumen Trust, Acumen NZ Limited, Working Assets Properties Limited and subsidiaries, Working Assets Consulting Limited, Dovedale Forests Limited, Cranleigh Forests Limited, Rakon Limited, ECL Group Limited and WineWorks Group and related companies and former Chair of Opus International Consultants. Keith’s former executive positions include Senior Vice President roles at Hewlett-Packard and Silicon Graphics in the United States.
Wendie Harvey is an experienced governance professional with over 25 years of expertise in law, executive leadership, and strategic oversight. She currently serves on the boards of a number of organisations, including Hawke’s Bay Airport, Port Taranaki, Aurora Energy, Unison Networks, TAB NZ, and Eastland Infrastructure Group. Wendie is also a member of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery Board, formed in response to Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, highlighting her commitment to regional resilience and recovery.
With a background in strategy, employment law, and corporate governance, Wendie is deeply committed to workplace safety and governance excellence and was recently appointed Chair of Eastland Port and Gisborne Airport (Eastland Infrastructure).
Ben is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Director of Counties Energy, ECL Group Limited, Home in Place Australia, WineWorks Group and related companies, and Polaris & Company Limited. He is Chair of Fuso NZ and related entities, Home in Place NZ, Active Electrical Suppliers and Methanol Institute (Singapore). Ben’s extensive corporate career included senior executive and Board level responsibilities in the petro-chemicals and energy industry, 14 years of which was spent working in North America and Europe.
Hamish is a chartered fellow of the Institute of Directors and a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand. He has extensive experience in corporates and as a Company Director and Chair across many industries. Hamish is a Director of Counties Energy, Governance and Advisory Limited, Radius Residential Care, ECL Group Limited, Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited and related companies. He is also chair of Embark Early Education Limited, East Health Services Limited and subsidiaries, The Kennedys Limited, Pharmaco (NZ) Limited and subsidiaries, and Embark Early Education Limited.
David is a Member of the Institute of Directors and Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand. He is a Director of Tutukaka Asset Management Limited. David previously held senior executive positions with Vector Ltd and senior management positions with West Coast Power Ltd (Canada). He was previously a Director of the Electricity Networks Association, Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation and Treescape Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil) degree, a Master of Engineering (Civil) degree and Diplomas in Business Management and International Financial Management.