Trustees hold all the shares in Counties Energy Limited on behalf of the consumers who are connected to the electricity network provided by the local electricity distribution company, and who are users of emerging energy initiatives, such as EV charging stations in our region.
Here at Counties Energy Trust, we value transparency, and that is why we provide you with Trustee profiles. As beneficiaries of the Trust, it is important that our consumers have the opportunity to learn more about our Trustees.
Every two years, we hold public elections for our Trustees, and we aim to have around 5 to 6 trustees at any time. In order to become a Trustee, you need to live in the district that the Counties Energy Trust serves. You’d also need to be nominated and seconded. You can find out more about the election process here.
A Deed of Trustees is used to govern all the actions and affairs that the trustees partake in because of their positions. But everything that our trustees do is to benefit those consumers within the community.
As a respected energy and power trust in NZ, we want you to have all the information that you need about our trust, as well as our trustees!
Get to know the Counties Energy Consumer Trustees better by reading their Trustee profiles below.
Christine has two adult children. Her background is in banking and finance both in New Zealand and overseas. She also owns two 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, and 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 and in March 2022 was elected to the Energy Trusts of NZ (ETNZ) executive committee and has taken an active role in increasing the association’s membership.
She believes that Trust ownership by consumers is important, together with a strong association directly representing consumers, to ensure consumers’ voices are heard.
Phil was first elected to the Trust in 2007 and last stood (unopposed) in 2019.
He believes the Trust needs to keep pace with the rate of change whilst continuing to serve the local community. As a passionate advocate for the sector, Phil combines hands-on experience with long-term knowledge and vision.
Phil is a family man, who is married with three adult children and five grandchildren, of whom he is very proud.
He is a long-term local business owner and balances a strong work ethic with community service. Phil has played an active part and senior roles in many community groups over a number of years, including Lions, Onewhero Rugby Club, (life member), Counties Supporters Club, (life member), and Pukekohe Rate Payers.
Don was first appointed to the Trust in 2008, and has since been elected, and last stood unopposed in 2019.
Don is married with two adult children and has a 40 year association with the Franklin area. He has owned a successful business in Pukekohe for over 30 years but has sold in order to gain a better lifestyle.
Don is a past President and a current member of Pukekohe Rotary Club and a life member of the Pukekohe Junior Boys Rugby Football Club and has been involved in many other community organisations in various roles.
His current interests are yachting and fishing along with bowls as well as being an active grandfather.
Mike was born in Pukekohe and is the founder and owner of TPT Group, and he also holds a number of governance roles. TPT Group comprises companies in the electronic security, data communications, information technology, robotics and artificial intelligence, finance, and commercial property sectors.
He started off his career as an electrical apprentice and holds qualifications in electrical trade, electrotechnology, an Advanced Dip. Business, Dip. Management, Dip. Integrated Risk Management and a Dip. Project Management.
Alongside his role on the Trust, Mike is a professional director of electricity lines company Waipa Networks, Rhema Media, Eqalis Pharmaceuticals and is also Chair of The Runway Foundation.
He and his wife Terese have two children and are deeply supportive of many community initiatives.
She has two adult children. Her background is in banking and finance both in New Zealand and overseas.
She takes an active role on the Hunua Hall & Reserve Committee, the Hunua Tennis Club and the Warbirds. Her interests include travel, tennis, gardening, sailing and recycling. Christine holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Science, and she is also the Registrar for the Franklin and Districts FP Association.
He is married to Claire with two adult children and has a long association with both Counties Power Energy Limited (formerly Counties Power Limited) and the Trust - the former in a senior management capacity and the latter as the inaugural Secretary.
As Energy Manager for NZ Steel his day job sees Alan heavily involved in Electricity Industry issues. Prior to this he held senior finance roles at NZ Steel and in the meat and dairy industries.
He continues a range of community interests and involvements, with a focus on Rotary.
Alan has formal qualifications in Commerce and Management from the University of Auckland, is a Chartered Accountant, and a member of the Institute of Directors.
Phil was first elected to the Trust in 2007 and was since re-elected in 2013.
He believes the Trust needs to keep pace with the rate of change whilst continuing to serve the local community. As a passionate advocate for the sector, Phil combines hands-on experience with long-term knowledge and vision.
Phil is a family man, who is married with three adult children and five grandchildren, of whom he is very proud.
He is a long-term local business owner and balances a strong work ethic with community service. Phil has played an active part and senior roles in many community groups over a number of years, including Lions, Onewhero Rugby Club, (life member), Counties Supporters Club, (life member), and Pukekohe Rate Payers.
David was elected to the Trust in August 2017. He is a father of four adult children and is now babysitting three grandchildren on a regular basis.
David is a shareholder/director of one of New Zealand's leading energy consulting firms and has a Master of Business Administration from The University of Auckland.
He has coached numerous men's and women's sports teams over the past forty years and as a result has developed a love for netball, cricket, soccer and, of course, rugby.
<Don was appointed to the Trust in 2008 and has been re-elected on two occasions, the latest being in 2013. at which time he was re-elected unopposed. He is married with two adult children and has a 40 year association with the Franklin area. He has owned a successful business in Pukekohe for over 30 years but has sold in order to gain a better lifestyle.
Don is a past President and a current member of Pukekohe Rotary Club and a life member of the Pukekohe Junior Boys Rugby Football Club and has been involved in many other community organisations in various roles.
His current interests are yachting and fishing along with bowls as well as being an active grandfather.