Careers

Julia is part of our Monitoring team who are responsible for carrying out post-implementation reviews − evaluating an initiative the Electricity Authority has implemented against its expected outcomes. From the Authority’s perspective, this enables learning about how regulatory decisions are affecting the sector and whether further policy action is required.

A typical day for Julia can involve everything from writing code and analysing data, writing up what she has found from the data, or reading consultation papers and submissions. She might also get the opportunity to speak to industry players about how certain changes have affected them – an aspect of the job she enjoys.

“It’s really interesting talking to different people in the industry, getting their thoughts on how it’s working for them,” she says. “I’ve also enjoyed helping develop our monitoring for the trading conduct provisions and discussing this monitoring approach with industry.”

Sarah provides specialist compliance advice to industry participants to help them navigate the changing regulatory environment. Regulations in the electricity industry can be complex with many intersecting points. Sarah helps them to mitigate risks and works to keep our compliance processes running smoothly.

“I’m in a job where there is always something new to learn about and new connections to be made,” Sarah says.

Sarah has worked in a variety of roles since she started with us in 2015. She has provided a gateway between the operational arm of the Electricity Authority and industry participants and market operations service providers (like NZX and Transpower). Sarah has also fielded consumer-related questions and enquiries about industry-related processes.

Sheila's team is focused on projects to ensure the power system remains secure and resilient and achieves long-term benefits for consumers, as New Zealand transitions towards a low-emissions energy system.

"Having an operational background, I know the challenges of maintaining security of the power system in a fast changing energy world. I am really passionate about the role my team is playing in achieving system security and resilience as we transition to a fully renewable energy system."

Sheila is an electrical engineer with an MBA. She has extensive experience in the electricity industry, mainly in the transmission and distribution sectors. She has also worked with engineering consultancies.

Tuong is part of our Data and information management team who are responsible for managing the data, modelling and analysis of the wholesale and retail electricity markets. A lot of this data is then made publicly available through the EMI website.

“We have a lot of data to work with in our data warehouse and great tools to analyse it,” Tuong says. “This makes it much easier for the Electricity Authority to see what goes on in the market and to check the market works as expected.”

Tuong works with teams across the Electricity Authority to provide data or tools to support projects. This may involve wading through large sets of complex data and finding ways to make it meaningful and helpful for others.

Tuong joined the Electricity Authority shortly after it was established in 2011. He has built up an extensive knowledge and interest in the wholesale electricity market, as well as during previous roles at Transpower and Contact.

Tuong was based in Singapore working for the Energy Market Company when a friend told him of a job opening at Transpower. He jumped at the chance to move to New Zealand to join the electricity industry here. Since joining the Electricity Authority, Tuong has helped on many wholesale market development projects.

Carolina's main responsibility is to help develop a consumer-focused work programme. This includes ensuring the Electricity Authority meets its commitment to implement mandatory Consumer Care Guidelines by 1 January 2025.

"What I find most rewarding about working at the Electricity Authority is the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the improvement of consumer protections within the electricity industry. Growing up in Colombia during a significant energy crisis deeply influenced my passion for infrastructure and regulatory matters. This background drives my commitment to ensure everyone can keep their lights on and their homes warm."

Previously, Carolina worked at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development improving housing quality standards within the rental market, including public housing. She worked on complex policy issues and focused on improving consumers outcomes.

Paulo is part of our Monitoring team, providing analysis on market performance and future scenarios for electricity generation in New Zealand. His work contributes to enhancing our understanding of current market behaviour and the possible consequences that changes in the electricity generation mix could bring.

“The world is going through a major energy transition, and New Zealand is no exception. It is very exciting to contribute to the future of electricity in Aotearoa.”

Paulo has a background in energy and environmental engineering. Previously, he was a Research Scholar at Pennsylvania State University (USA), part of a Renewable Art and Design project developing innovative ways to teach renewable energy. Paulo also lectured on solar energy conversion systems and renewable energy and got his PhD in Energy and Mineral Engineering with the Solar Collab research group.