Electricity Authority Advisory Group

Jeremy Adamson is the General Manager of Strategy & Engagement and General Manager Fibre Network at EA Networks, a community-owned network infrastructure company based in Mid-Canterbury. He leads the organisation’s strategic direction along with managing commercial development, customer engagement, corporate communications, and information technology.

Jeremy joined EA Networks in 2010 following five years in the UK where he worked primarily in the telecommunications sector. Prior to that he spent five years with KPMG in Wellington as well as overseas postings. His international experience has shaped a forward-thinking approach to delivering network infrastructure through a customer-first strategy. Jeremy is responsible for driving long-term sustainable value for customers and the wider community and ensuring that connectivity, affordability and innovation remain at the forefront of EA Networks’ service delivery.

Jeremy is recognised for his collaborative leadership style, strategic insight and commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for both the business and the communities it serves.

Jeremy is based in Ashburton.

Paul Baker is a seasoned energy sector professional recently retired. Prior to retirement he served as the Manager of Commercial & Regulatory Affairs at Nova Energy.

With extensive experience in energy market analysis and design, regulatory compliance and commercial strategy, Paul played a key role in shaping Nova’s engagement with industry stakeholders and government bodies. His work involved contributing to Nova’s commercial projects, monitoring compliance with industry regulations, and preparing submissions on complex regulatory issues.

Paul is known for his analytical acumen, collaborative leadership style and commitment to delivering value-driven energy solutions. His career reflects a deep understanding of New Zealand’s energy landscape and a passion for supporting innovation and resilience in the sector.

Paul is based in Wellington.

Huia Burt is Chief Executive and co-founder of Electric Kiwi, one of New Zealand’s most innovative electricity retailers, and director of The Energy Collective, which is focused on building disruptor digital brands powered by a proprietary technology ecosystem.

Huia holds a degree in Engineering Science and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. In 2014, Huia co-founded Electric Kiwi with the mission of making New Zealanders better off – leveraging technology, innovation and customer-centric design to deliver affordable, renewable energy solutions. Electric Kiwi has expanded into broadband and mobile services, maintaining its core ethos of empowering households to save money and reduce emissions.

Huia is a passionate advocate for a future-focused, low-cost renewable energy market in Aotearoa.

Huia is based in Auckland.

James Carberry leads the Sustainable Solutions team at Simply Energy (which is part of Contact Energy) and is passionate about helping commercial and industrial clients transition to low-carbon energy and reduce emissions.

In his current role as Head of Sustainable Solutions at Simply Energy, he:

• Designs and develops energy solutions for businesses seeking to reduce both emissions and costs.
• Leads the delivery of multiple products including Simply Flex – rewarding customers for demand flexibility and Site iQ – helping customers to explore potential energy savings and optimise operations.
• Works with organisations to structure flexible electricity supply arrangements to make electrification commercially viable.

He has an engineering background and was previously a Commercial Lead at Rolls-Royce (UK) – focused on strategic aerospace customer relationships and an Energy Consultant at Anthesis – where he advised global clients on sustainability and energy strategy.

James is based in Wellington.

Joel Cook is a senior energy sector leader serving as the Head of Strategy & Regulation at Transpower.

Joel plays a pivotal role in shaping strategy and ensuring compliance with national frameworks that govern New Zealand’s electricity infrastructure. His work involves leading engagement with the Commerce Commission and the Electricity Authority, engaging more broadly with stakeholders. He works closely with Transpower’s grid development and delivery teams ensuring that Transpower’s work aligns with long-term consumer interests and national decarbonisation goals.

Joel brings extensive international experience having been based in London and Sydney as an economic consultant working on a broad range of infrastructure-related issues.

He regularly contributes to industry forums and academic initiatives, including presenting at the University of Auckland’s Energy Economics Summer School, where he shares insights on planning, investment, and the Transpower’s work programme.

Joel is based in Wellington.

Margaret Cooney leads Octopus Energy, which has expanded its footprint in Aotearoa, delivering customer-centric, tech-enabled energy solutions that support both local and global operations.

Margaret brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, operational excellence, regulatory affairs and digital transformation. Her work focuses on accelerating the transition to renewable energy, improving customer experience and fostering a culture of innovation within the New Zealand energy market.

Margaret is based in Blenheim and Wellington.

Sam Fleming is a respected energy sector professional currently serving as the Manager of Regulatory & Government Relations at Meridian Energy.

Sam plays a key role in shaping Meridian’s engagement with regulatory bodies, government agencies, and industry stakeholders.

His work focuses on advocating for outcomes that benefit consumers and ensuring that Meridian’s operations align with market regulations. Sam has contributed to key submissions and reviews of the sector, where he has advocated for competition and transparency in the wholesale electricity market.

Sam is a practising lawyer, and his earlier career includes roles across government and in a Minister’s office.

Sam is based in Wellington.

Tui Gilling is the founder of Matapapa Consulting, a strategy and policy consultancy grounded in kaupapa Māori values and dedicated to advancing the aspirations of hapū and iwi across Aotearoa. She hails from Te Whānau ā Apanui in eastern Bay of Plenty and brings insight and lived experience to her work in government, iwi development and the private sector.

Tui has extensive experience in Treaty settlements and negotiations, having worked for both the Crown and her own iwi. Her expertise spans strategic partnerships, policy frameworks, and has worked in the areas of infrastructure particularly housing and transport on complex business cases.

She provides strategic advice to local and central government agencies, as well as private sector organisations, particularly in areas involving Te Tiriti o Waitangi, iwi engagement and Māori-led innovation. Tui is passionate about renewable energy, including solar and microgrid solutions for marae and papakāinga in rural communities - reflecting her commitment to kaitiakitanga and self-sufficiency.

Tui is active in her hapū and has served as a whānau delegate on the board of a Māori immersion stream at Kowhai Intermediate School.

Tui is employed at NZTA Waka Kotahi and is based in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland.

Michael Jefferson is a seasoned energy professional currently serving as Head of Commercial for Enel X across Australia and New Zealand. He plays a pivotal role in driving the growth and strategic direction of Enel X’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) business in the region.

He has over 25 years' experience in the energy management industry, spanning consultancy, in-house and service provider roles.

• Has worked extensively in both the Asia-Pacific region and the UK, focusing on commercial and industrial energy sectors.
• Leads commercial strategy, innovation, customer acquisition, marketing, and account management for Enel X’s VPP initiatives.
• Has successfully navigated the unique challenges of energy transformation and distributed energy resources.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Energy Management from the University of Otago.

Michael is based in Wellington.

Jason Larkin is a senior executive in New Zealand’s energy sector, serving as Group General Manager – Customer, Commercial & Regulatory at Unison Networks, which includes responsibility for providing managed services to neighbouring electricity distribution business, Centralines. With over 17 years' experience in the electricity industry, Jason brings deep expertise in commercial management, strategic business development and customer engagement.

Before entering the energy sector, Jason held engineering, production and commercial roles in the food and beverage industry, both in New Zealand and internationally. His diverse background has equipped him with a broad perspective on infrastructure, innovation and customer needs.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Materials from the University of Auckland, and a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies – Management from Massey University.

He is passionate about the role of energy and infrastructure in supporting community wellbeing, regional prosperity, and decarbonisation goals.

Jason is based in Hastings.

Hinerangi Pere serves as the Head of Community Energy Services at Orion, the electrical distribution company based in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). In this role, she champions initiatives that foster positive change, sustainability and equity in energy access for communities

Her career spans various government departments and NGOs, where she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to community wellbeing and Māori representation.

Her journey into the energy sector began with her work for her iwi, Waikato-Tainui, where she led Iwi Energy Navigation and Projects. This role enabled her to align her professional path with her cultural roots and passion for empowering Māori communities within the energy industry.

She is affiliated with Paaraawera, Te Taumata Marae and Te-Papa-O-Rotu Marae, and has spoken openly about her personal journey with financial literacy, home ownership and supporting her wider whānau.

Hinerangi is based in Christchurch.

Keith Scoles has senior technical and project management experience within the generation, transmission and distribution sectors of the electricity industry, particularly with renewable generation in solar, BESS and hydro fields. He has managed a variety of engineers and consultants delivering complex project initiatives with new technologies but also has extensive hands-on experience with supporting design, testing and commissioning.

Keith is the Customer Commercial Manager at Alpine Energy where he plays a key role in facilitating new customer connections and facilitating the energy journey for large or more complex connections.

He was previously founder of PowerIt Fwd, a social initiative focused on addressing energy poverty through community-based renewable energy projects. He was also a founding staff member of Infratec, where he worked for eight years and has also been co-owner of a successful project management business for 12 years.

Over his career he has worked regionally and internationally providing project and technical support for Renewable Energy projects from concept to completion- including projects in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and Tuvalu.

Keith is based in Timaru.

Kennie Tsui is the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, which represents New Zealand's geothermal community through promotion of legacy, sustainability and the benefits to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Kennie is the Vice President of Engineering New Zealand (formerly the Institute of Professional Engineers NZ, IPENZ), the first Asian woman to take this role in its 110-year history. She is also the Chair of the International Partnership of Geothermal Technologies, a Director of the Wellington Cable Car, Venture Taranaki and KiwiNet.

Kennie is a Fellow Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Institute of Directors member.

Kennie is based in Wellington.

Leapagatele Matuamaivanu Pei Helen Tua is a respected leader in customer care and community engagement, currently managing Mercury’s Customer Care team. Under her leadership, Mercury became the first and largest Gentailer to remove disconnection as a tool for managing debt for customers needing extra support. This shift was replaced with proactive partnerships across government, social and community organisations to support customers holistically, alongside a newly-formed team dedicated to helping customers navigate hardship with dignity and care.

Helen previously served on the Energy Reference Group, where she championed equitable energy access and hardship reduction. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration across government, non-government, industry and essential services such as water and food – ensuring outcomes are delivered for whānau, who remain at the heart of all objectives.

Of Samoan descent, Helen holds Samoa chiefly titles from her family, reflecting her deep cultural roots and lifelong commitment to service. Her work reflects a strong dedication to inclusive, community-led approaches that ensure all New Zealanders benefit from the country’s energy transition. She has contributed to strategic initiatives, nonprofit governance, and award-nominated programs, supported by executive education from London and Melbourne Business Schools, the Global Women’s Leadership Program, and a postgraduate qualification in Leading Change for Good through AcademyEx.

Helen is based in Auckland and offshore.

Jonathan Young is the Head of Industry and Government Engagement at Ara Ake, New Zealand’s future energy development centre. Jonathan’s unique blend of policy experience, technical understanding and strategic leadership makes him a key figure in shaping the future of energy in Aotearoa.

He joined Are Ake in June 2021 and leads strategic engagement with industry and government stakeholders. His role is to support the development and commercialisation of innovative energy solutions to help New Zealand transition to a low-emissions future.

Prior to this he was the Member of Parliament for New Plymouth (2008–2020), serving as the Energy and Resources spokesperson.

He gained deep insights into New Zealand’s integrated energy system through extensive engagement with industrial energy users and generators. He also represented New Zealand internationally, studying global energy systems and the challenges of the energy transition.

Jonathan is based in New Plymouth.

Professor Jodi Gardner is a leading academic in private law and social policy, currently holding the prestigious Brian Coote Chair in Private Law at the University of Auckland. Her research explores the intersection of private law with social welfare, focusing on how legal frameworks can either mitigate or exacerbate poverty, inequality and financial exclusion.

Originally from Darwin, Australia, Professor Gardner holds degrees in Law and International Relations from Griffith University, and advanced legal qualifications including an LLM from ANU, a BCL/M.Phil and D.Phil from Oxford, and a PhD from Cambridge. Her academic journey has included teaching roles at Oxford and Cambridge, where she was a Fellow of Law at St John’s College.

Before entering academia, she worked as a consumer advocate and solicitor in litigation and banking, with a strong focus on consumer protection. Her practical experience includes roles at Clayton Utz Solicitors and Caxton Legal Centre in Australia.

Professor Gardner’s research includes topics such as high-cost credit and fair lending practice, debt collection and austerity measures, and technological impacts on financial inclusion.

She has held visiting positions at globally renowned institutions including Princeton University, Columbia Law School, the Max Planck Institute, and the University of Birmingham, and is currently a Senior Adjunct Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore.

Jodi is based in Auckland.

Liz Kilduff plays a key role at Arc Innovations, a pioneering company in New Zealand’s smart metering and energy technology sector. Arc Innovations, founded in 2003 as a subsidiary of Meridian Energy, was instrumental in introducing smart metering services across the country, enabling consumers to better track and manage their energy usage.

During her tenure, Liz contributed to the development and delivery of advanced metering infrastructure, helping to integrate renewable energy resources and improve energy efficiency. Her work supported Arc’s mission to provide innovative hardware, software and service solutions that empower smarter energy choices for a sustainable future.

Liz also served on the working group that developed the Consumer Care guidelines and the Energy Hardship Reference group.

More recently Liz has been a member of the Anglican Care Energy Poverty Programme and the Christchurch City Mission’s Energy Wellbeing Initiative.

Liz is a passionate consumer advocate, supporting consumers who have debt with an energy retailer, to reduce and/or eliminate debt as well as energy wellbeing education to improve energy literacy and develop an understanding on how to keep homes warmer and reduce energy costs.

Liz is based in Christchurch.

Dr James Tipping is a seasoned strategist, regulatory expert and modeller in the energy sector. He serves as Group Manager – Market Strategy & Regulation at Vector Ltd, where he leads the company’s electricity system strategy and regulatory engagement. His role includes managing relationships with key bodies such as the Electricity Authority and EECA, and evolving Vector’s interfaces with electricity retailers and other third parties.

James is also co-Chair of the Electricity Networks Aotearoa’s Future Networks Forum, and was instrumental in establishing the FlexForum in 2022, both of which support the development of flexible energy services across Aotearoa.

Prior to joining Vector, James held senior executive roles at the Electricity Authority, including Chief Strategy Officer, and spent a decade at Trustpower, where he led strategic and regulatory initiatives. His earlier career includes roles at consultancies Redpoint Energy (now Baringa Partners), CRA International, and academic work at the University of Canterbury.

James holds a PhD in electricity market modelling and brings over 20 years' experience in energy sector strategy, analytics, policy, and regulation across Australasia and Europe.

James is based in Wellington.

Fiona Wiseman is an experienced regulatory and policy professional, currently serving as Sustainable Transitions Lead at Mercury NZ, where she leads their regulatory, policy and government relations functions.

She brings over 15 years' experience across regulatory, policy and market development roles in both New Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining Mercury, Fiona held senior leadership positions at Manawa Energy, including Head of Regulatory and Risk, and Head of Policy, Consenting and Risk.

Fiona has contributed to thinking around the evolution of the wholesale market arrangements as a member of the Market Development Advisory Group (MDAG) at the Electricity Authority, and is a Steering Group member of FlexForum, which promotes flexible energy services in Aotearoa.

Her earlier career includes roles at Trustpower, Alinta Energy and the Independent Market Operator in Western Australia, where she focused on wholesale regulation and market development.

Fiona holds a Master’s degree in Applied and International Economics from Massey University.

Fiona is based in Tauranga.

Biography to follow.