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.
If it’s not safe, it’s not happening. The safety of our people, our communities, and our customers is everything. We never underestimate the power of energy, and how we need to work with it to stay safe.
From the smallest gesture to major fixes, we aim to serve our customers above and beyond expectations for a great customer experience.
Being human-centred in everything we do means being kind in our approach, proactive in our help, and showing empathy when it counts – doing the right thing for our people and our customers.
To reimagine our energy future, we need to innovate. That means challenging the status quo, staying curious, thinking differently, and looking at old problems in new ways.
Reliability builds confidence and trust with our community. Our aim is to stay at the forefront of the energy industry, adapting and changing with the market to continue adding value for current and future generations.
Our Executive Leadership Team
Our executive team leads by example to bring to life 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.
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.
Ben is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, director of Counties Energy, Home in Place (Australia & NZ), WineWorks, Polaris & Company Limited and Keith Andrew Holdings. 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.
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 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 New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, a director of Counties Energy, Acumen NZ Limited and Rakon Limited, 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.
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.
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, Radius Residential Care, Marsden Maritime Holdings, and Northport. He is also chair of East Health Services, The Kennedys, Pharmaco, and Embark Education Group.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Conrad joined Counties Energy in 2016 from a background in manufacturing and ICT industries where he has worked for both local and multinational companies. Conrad has 18 years experience as a Chartered Accountant and he leads the Finance & Procurement function and acts as Company Secretariat.
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.
Our environment and sustainability strategy
As an organisation, we are committed to decarbonisation and aspire to environment leadership in the communities in which we live and work. You can read more about our Environment and Sustainability Policy commitments here.
We have also recently developed a sustainability business strategy in line with a materiality assessment that considers the perspectives of our customers, communities, and our people on the significance and impact of key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues impacting our company’s operations and stakeholders. Please click on the ‘read more’ link below to learn more about this strategy and our wider sustainability efforts.
Regulatory Disclosures
The electricity sector is a highly-regulated environment. To comply with regulations, we make public, documentation on disclosures, plans, reporting, agreements, and other key business records.