Our people

Allan is a global energy market expert with an extensive background in energy regulation, market development and market operations in multiple jurisdictions. 

He formerly served as Chief Executive of the energy market operator/regulator in Western Australia (Independent Market Operator) and Singapore (Energy Market Company). 

Allan was a senior member of the team responsible for Market Operations during the development, implementation and operation of New Zealand's Electricity market rules and arrangements in the 1990s. 

Allan has previously chaired the Association of Power Exchanges (6 years) - a global member organisation representing the interests of over 50 electricity market operators/regulators. He has strong industry governance experience as Chair of Governance Board's, in both electricity and gas markets, in Singapore and Western Australia.

Since returning to New Zealand, Allan has been appointed as Chair of Arlo Software Ltd, Chair of OnFarm Solutions Ltd, and appointed to the Board of Montoux Ltd and Winnow Software Ltd.

Cristiano has a comprehensive background in the international energy sector. He has extensive experience in energy innovation and the adoption of new low-emissions energy solutions.

He is Chief Executive of Ara Ake, New Zealand’s Future Energy Centre, which he has led since August 2020. Prior to that he held senior roles at Vector Limited and UK Power Networks. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester.

Cristiano was appointed to our Board for a five-year term from 1 July 2023.

Lana has recently returned to New Zealand from Australia, where she was Vice President Regulation at Aurizon Network, a top-50 ASX listed company offering rail and road based freight and infrastructure solutions.

Lana was also a General Manager at Energy Australia, a Board member of the Electricity Retailers Association of Australia, and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on smart meters in Victoria.  

Lana has experience in the New Zealand electricity industry, including as an advisor to the Electricity Authority and its predecessor the Electricity Commission.

She is degree qualified in both engineering and finance and, coupled with a broad energy market experience, brings fresh thinking and strong leadership, communication and relationship management skills.

Erik is an electricity market and energy sector regulatory specialist who has been closely involved in the establishment and ongoing development of electricity market arrangements in several countries. His work has included reviewing market arrangements to ensure that the electricity market delivered the expected benefits to consumers.

Erik was appointed by the Minister of Energy and Resources to act as Specialist Technical Advisor on the investigation into the 9 August 2021 power outages and was a member of the Security and Reliability Council for six years.

Erik has held a number of senior positions within industry participants and large international consulting firms. He is currently an independent consultant.

Erik was appointed to our Board on 16 January 2023 for a five-year term.

Mark leads our Corporate and Market Services. This team is responsible for our service providers who operate the electricity market efficiently and facilitate market development, and for internal functions including procurement, planning and reporting, finance, IT, risk and assurance.

Prior to joining the Electricity Authority, Mark was Group Manager for Markets and Business at Transpower New Zealand, where he led market policy, security of supply, regulation, reporting and change delivery.

Mark has also worked in a variety of leadership roles for the UK’s National Grid across functions including strategy, innovation, and code change. He brings strategic experience, stakeholder management skills and an extensive industry background to the role.

Airihi leads our Legal, Monitoring and Compliance teams.

Alongside other diverse legal roles, Airihi has extensive experience in infrastructure and economic regulation, having worked for both regulators and regulated companies across the electricity, transport and telecommunications sectors. She has previously held senior leadership roles in both the public service and commercial organisations.

Born in Tairāwhiti, Airihi is from Ngāti Porou.

Tim leads our Networking and Systems Change group, responsible for improving price signals for the distribution and transmission segments of the electricity supply chain.

Pricing affects how consumers use electricity, and is a key mechanism for achieving an optimal combination of new technologies, and transmission and network investment in the right places, to service an anticipated substantial increase in load.

Under our low-emissions energy ambitions, Tim is tasked with implementing price signals that facilitate the lowest overall cost to consumers. This includes promoting efficient investment in, and operation of, energy technology and demand-side flexibility.

Previously, Tim held roles at Chorus and Opus and provided technical advice to the Electricity Authority during the development of the Transmission Pricing Methodology guidelines.