About Counties Energy
Counties Energy is one of New Zealand's leading community-owned electricity distribution businesses. The company owns and operates the electricity network serving Franklin and South Auckland, providing electricity distribution services to more than 50,000 customer connections across residential, commercial and industrial consumers.
Owned by Counties Energy Trust on behalf of electricity consumers, the organisation combines commercial discipline with a strong commitment to long-term stewardship and community benefit. The business is responsible for critical infrastructure supporting one of New Zealand's fastest-growing regions, including significant residential, commercial and industrial development across Drury, Paerata, Karaka, Pōkeno and the wider Franklin district.
The organisation is investing heavily in future network capacity, resilience and emerging energy solutions as electrification, distributed generation, electric vehicles and changing consumer expectations continue to reshape the energy sector.
About the Opportunity
Counties Energy is seeking to appoint an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board.
This appointment follows the retirement of a long-serving Director who brought significant engineering and electricity network expertise to Board discussions. The Board is seeking to maintain and strengthen this capability as the organisation continues to navigate growth, major capital investment programmes and increasing sector complexity.
A particular focus of the role will be providing governance oversight of the Asset Management Plan (AMP), network resilience, infrastructure investment, future network development and emerging energy opportunities. The successful candidate will help ensure the Board continues to make sound long-term decisions regarding asset stewardship, reliability, resilience and consumer value.
The Board is looking for an individual who can bring both technical credibility and governance judgement. Equally important will be the ability to contribute constructively within a collaborative Board environment, challenge appropriately and support collective decision making.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide governance oversight of Counties Energy's long-term asset management and infrastructure investment programmes
- Contribute to strategic discussions regarding network resilience, reliability and future energy systems
- Support governance oversight of major capital investment decisions and growth-related infrastructure requirements
- Monitor organisational performance, risk management and long-term sustainability
- Bring independent judgement and constructive challenge to Board discussions
- Contribute to a high-performing governance environment focused on stewardship, accountability and long-term value creation
- Support the Board and Chief Executive in navigating sector change, technological development and future opportunities.
What You’ll Bring
- Senior leadership, governance or executive experience within electricity, energy, utilities or infrastructure sectors
- Strong understanding of asset management, infrastructure planning and capital investment
- Experience with long-life infrastructure assets and operationally critical environments
- Understanding of Asset Management Plans, network resilience and infrastructure stewardship
- Knowledge of emerging energy technologies, electrification, distributed generation, solar or related future energy developments would be advantageous
- Previous governance experience and a strong understanding of the role of a Director
- Sound commercial judgement and risk management capability
- A collaborative style with the ability to challenge constructively and contribute positively within a Board environment
The Board will also consider candidates from adjacent infrastructure sectors where they can demonstrate relevant experience in asset stewardship, infrastructure resilience, network operations or major capital programmes.
What’s on Offer?
- The opportunity to help govern one of New Zealand's most significant community-owned infrastructure organisations
- Governance involvement in one of the country's fastest-growing regions
- Exposure to major infrastructure investment, future energy systems and network transformation
- A highly engaged shareholder environment and strong governance culture
- Director remuneration of approximately $73,273 per annum
- Monthly Board meetings and strategic governance involvement throughout the year
Apply Now!
Advertising for the role closes on 19 June 2026. To find out more, please get in touch with David Hammond 027 444 6368 for a confidential chat. For a copy of the Position Description, please email: execsearch@tribegroup.com.
To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.