Infrastructure Regulation Symposium

Head of Corporate Finance, National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFF)

Andrew is the Head of Corporate Finance at NIFF – a dedicated Crown organisation aiming to accelerate the delivery of critical public infrastructure by utilising private capital, alternative procurement methods, and specialised commercial expertise. NIFF serves as a single point of contact for investors submitting proposals for innovative investment solutions. NIFF also promotes potential New Zealand infrastructure opportunities to investors and infrastructure operators. 

With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure, energy, banking and advisory services, Andrew has executed transactions across sectors including transport, water, energy and social infrastructure. This expertise spans structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, public-private partnerships, refinancing initiatives and capital markets issuance. 

General Manager Customer & Regulatory, Clarus 

Ben Gerritsen is the General Manager of Customer & Regulatory at Clarus. He leads the commercial management of the gas transmission system, Firstgas distribution networks, and the Ahuroa gas storage facility. He is also responsible for policy and regulatory advocacy, legal, marketing and external communications. Ben has extensive experience with infrastructure regulation in New Zealand, having advised as a consultant on reforms to Part 4 of the Commerce Act and now applying those rules in practice for regulated gas and electricity suppliers. 

Head of Regulation, Enable 

Charlie Littlewood is the Head of Regulation at Enable, who provide the fibre network in the Greater Christchurch area. She was previously the Regulatory Manager of Powerco, and has worked in a variety of governance, management and regulatory roles across New Zealand and the UK over the last 20 years.

She is also a director of Port Taranaki, where she chairs the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, and former Chair of the Taranaki Regional Council, the Taranaki Regional Skills Leadership Group and it's successor, the Taranaki Skills Group. She has a Masters in Finance, a BA(Hons) in Economics and Politics and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. 

National President, Federated Farmers of New Zealand 

Colin Hurst is President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand and a South Canterbury farmer with extensive experience in agriculture, governance, and industry leadership. Farming with his family in the Waimate district, he operates a diversified family business spanning arable production, seed growing, beef finishing, dairy farming ,grazing, forestry, and seed processing. Colin has served in numerous leadership roles across the agricultural sector and is recognised for his practical, science-based approach to policy and advocacy. As President, he is focused on ensuring New Zealand's farming businesses remain productive, sustainable, and globally competitive while supporting thriving rural communities. 

Chief Executive Officer, Technology Users Assoc of NZ Inc 

Craig has been the Chief Executive of TUANZ since October 2014. He's passionate about advocating for the innovative development of the use of technology and communications within TUANZ members and across Aotearoa. He's fiercely protective of independence in TUANZs role as the user’s voice.

Prior to joining TUANZ, Craig had over twenty years in the ICT sector, with the last ten years before taking on his role in a number of organisations within the telecommunications industry. He's a big sci-fi nerd which, he says, is probably why he loves working in the space of digital technology and communications. 

Executive General Manager, Networks & Technical, Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)

Danielle is an experienced executive with more than 20 years working in the energy sector. During this time, Danielle has worked in a broad range of functions and leadership roles, with experience in policy, regulation, commercial, strategy and consulting roles.  

Danielle joined the AEMC in 2021 and is the Executive General Manager who leads the Networks & Technical function. This function includes the policy team responsible for rule changes and reviews relating to transmission and distribution network regulation reform for the transition to net zero by 2050.  

Chief Executive, Te Waihanaga 

Geoff Cooper is the Chief Executive of Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Prior to this, he’s worked at the United States Federal Reserve and is a former Chief Economist at both PwC and Auckland Council. He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University. 

Chief Executive, Water New Zealand  

Gillian is a respected strategic leader with extensive governance and advisory experience spanning the energy, infrastructure and water sectors. She has contributed to numerous sector advisory groups covering retail, wholesale, transmission and climate action issues, is an independent director of Electricity Networks Aotearoa, and member of the Te Kura Taka Pini Advisory Group.  

Prior to becoming Chief Executive of Water New Zealand in 2020, Gillian held senior strategy and regulatory affairs roles at Meridian Energy.  

Under her leadership, Water New Zealand’s membership has grown substantially, and the organisation has expanded its technical and strategic industry forums while becoming the trusted, apolitical voice of the sector during a period of significant water reform.  

She holds a BSc in Economics and an MSc in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics from University College London and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.

Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive, Ministry for Regulation

Gráinne Moss is the Chief Executive and Secretary for Regulation at New Zealand's Ministry for Regulation. She led the establishment of the Ministry in 2024 and now oversees a unique government function dedicated to lifting regulatory quality across the public sector.  

Before this, she was Chief Executive and System Lead Pay Equity at Te Kawa Mataaho  - the Public Service Commission. She was the first Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children, and previously Managing Director of Bupa Care Services NZ. 

Gráinne has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Liverpool, and an MBA(Hons) from IMD in Switzerland. Grainne worked in the UK National Health Service and with PWC before moving to New Zealand in 1998. 

Senior Policy Advisor, FinCap

Jake Lilley (Te Atiawa, Muaūpoko) is a senior policy advisor at FinCap, specialising in consumer protection and working with a network of more than 700 financial mentors across Aotearoa. He has been a member of the Responsible Lending Code Advisory Group, a member of the Energy Hardship Reference Group and previously worked at the Consumer Action Law Centre in Australia.

Chief Executive, Transpower 

James joined Transpower as Chief Executive in February 2025, prior to that he was Chief Executive at Powerco for three years. He has 25 years’ experience in the energy industry, holding a range of leadership roles at Contact Energy including Deputy Chief Executive and has held a range of industry Board and leadership roles. James holds an LLB (Hons) (1st class) from Waikato University and has completed both the Harvard Business School High Potential Leadership Course and the Advanced Management Programme at Chicago University Booth Business School.  

Chair, Powerco Limited 

John Loughlin is a professional Company Director. He is the Chair Powerco Limited, Rockit Global Limited, Coda Group and Dairy Technology Services Limited. He is a director of Water Hawke’s Bay Limited 

John is a past Chair of Zespri Group Limited, Meat industry Association of New Zealand Limited, EastPack Limited, Bluelab Holdings Limited and Prism Group Holdings Limited. He is a past director of Napier Port Limited, Metlifecare Lmited, AgResearch Limited, and Centralines Limited. He is a past member the New Zealand International Business Forum and the New Zealand China Council. 

Director, Signature Consulting

John Hancock is a well-known energy utilities consultant and commentator.  He’s chaired two Electricity Authority Advisory Groups and was a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the last Government’s Electricity Price Review. 

Much of his work draws on his unusual combination of deep experience in both technology and deregulation — key dimensions of the strategic environment in the sector. 

John has worked in the sector around the world for nearly 40 years.  

Chief Executive, Consumer NZ 

Jon Duffy has been CEO of Consumer NZ since 2020. Jon has enjoyed a varied career in the consumer protection field including roles as Assistant Privacy Commissioner, Head of Trust & Safety at online marketplace Trade Me and as a Senior Investigator at the Commerce Commission. Alongside its core work of product testing and review, under Jon’s leadership, Consumer NZ is focussing its research and advocacy efforts on the big issues facing consumers in New Zealand, Aotearoa. 

As well as keeping traders honest by calling out illegal or unethical conduct when it occurs. 

Jon speaks regularly on consumer issues and is increasingly concerned with how dysfunctional market structures and muted competition in critical sectors are benefitting a small minority and delivering poor outcomes for the rest of society. From supermarkets to transport, banks to electricity, as we respond to climate change and the cost-of-living crisis our consumer landscape needs to change and begin delivering outcomes that are fairer, sustainable and benefit society longer term. 

Jon and his team are helping to harness the collective power of consumers to achieve this before it’s too late. 

Director, Commercial and Investment 

Kate is the Director of Commercial & Investment at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). EECA is a Crown agency responsible for mobilising New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. 

Kate brings 18 years’ private sector finance experience, spanning a decade as a private practice banking and finance lawyer, followed by deal structuring, sustainable finance, climate, and ESG roles at major New Zealand banks. 

Executive Director, Major Electricity Users' Group (MEUG) 

Karen began her role as Executive Director of MEUG in early 2023, following nearly 20 years in senior policy, regulatory, and advocacy roles. Karen has a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Otago, with a focus on energy management. 

Before joining MEUG, Karen spent six years at the diversified energy group Clarus as Regulatory Policy Manager, leading a team that oversaw regulatory compliance, reporting and policy engagement. Karen has also worked at Local Government New Zealand, Genesis Energy, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). 

As Executive Director, Karen’s role at MEUG is to work with the Chair on setting and delivering a strategy and business plan to best support MEUG members. 

Senior Lecturer, Monash University 

Dr. Kari Dahlgren is a social anthropologist and ethnographer interested in the social and ethical aspects of energy production and consumption in Australia.  

She has worked on the Digital Energy Futures ARC Linkage project, the Future Home Demand research project, and is now working on the Scenarios for Future Living research project as part of the RACE for 2030 CRC. This research aims to bring everyday life into energy planning, examining how changing household practices, expectations and aspirations may shape future patterns of energy use.  

It seeks to support more socially responsive approaches to the energy transition by connecting insights from ethnographic research with the needs and challenges of the energy sector. This research has involved working closely with energy partners, including with DNSPs such as Ausgrid, AusNet Services, CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy. Kari holds a BA with honours from the University of North Carolina, MSc with distinction from Oxford University, and PhD from the London School of Economics. 

Deputy Chair, Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA); and 

Chief Public Policy and Regulatory Officer, Vector

Mark has over 25 years’ experience across a range of sectors including energy, telecommunications, aviation and technology. He has consistently navigated market, regulatory and policy changes across industries in disruption, and is responsible for leading the Group’s regulatory, public policy, decarbonisation and data insights functions. 

Associate Commissioner, Commerce Commission

Nathan Strong was appointed Associate Commissioner in August 2022. Nathan is a qualified economist with experience in applied competition and regulatory economics. He was the General Manager (Commercial) at Unison Networks, having joined the executive team in 2010. He was previously the Chair of the Electricity Networks Associations’ Regulatory Working Group, a Member of the Electricity Authority’s Security and Reliability Council and a member of several Electricity Authority Advisory Groups. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (BCA) (Hons, First Class) from Victoria University of Wellington.  

Water Services & Network Industries | Ārahi, Ratonga Wai me ngā Ahumahi Whatunga
Martin Jenkins 

Nick has high-level expertise in leading complex regulatory systems and organisations, having previously held senior leadership roles at the Commerce Commission. He led the Commission’s economic regulation function across multiple sectors – from electricity, gas and fibre networks, telecommunications, and airports, to groceries, fuel, and retail payments. 

Nick draws on his background as a regulator to advise boards and senior executives in established and newly regulated sectors on a wide range of governance, strategy, and regulatory matters. He has a particular interest in helping organisations grapple with the interface between regulation and commercial realities, and advising on the implementation of new regulatory requirements, such as for water services. 

Chair, Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA); and 

Group Chief Executive Officer, Orion 

Nigel was appointed Orion Group Chief Executive in July 2021, and leads the Orion Group which comprises Orion’s central Canterbury electricity distribution business and its wholly owned subsidiary, Connetics.  

Prior to joining the Orion Group, Nigel was Chief Executive of Powerco, New Zealand’s second largest electricity distribution business, based in New Plymouth. He was with Powerco for 19 years in a range of executive management positions including nine as Chief Executive.  

Over 20 years’ C-Suite experience (including 13 as CEO of two energy companies), Nigel has built high performance teams and led them through large and systemic changes. 

Nigel has in-depth knowledge of the sector, including the ‘big trilemma challenges’ of maintaining security and ensuring affordability in a highly renewable system. He has an economics and legal background and previously held roles with Transpower and the Bank of New Zealand. 

Nigel is currently Chair of Electricity Networks Aotearoa, the Electricity CEO Forum and Energy Transition Sector Framework CEO Level Steering Group. The Energy Transition Framework is a ‘platform’ to help set up for the best energy transition for Aotearoa / New Zealand. 

Powerswitch Manager, Consumer NZ 

Paul Fuge has worked in the energy sector for nearly 40 years, beginning his career as an engineering cadet with the former New Zealand Electricity Department in the late 1980s. Over that time, he has held a wide range of roles in various organisations and seen the system evolve from a government‑run public service to today’s market‑driven model. 

For the past six years, Paul has worked at Consumer NZ managing Powerswitch, the independent energy comparison service, and advocating for fairer outcomes for electricity consumers. 

Head of Systems, Strategy and Performance, Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai 

Originally from the UK, Dr Sara McFall has been working in the New Zealand public service for the last 20 years. Much of this time has been in the health system, including working on the recent health reforms in New Zealand. She has been on the executive team at the Water Services Authority for the last three years, where she has overseen the development of  many of the Authority's new functions, particularly around the infrastructure standards, including New Zealand's first national wastewater standards. 

Partner, Chapman Tripp 

With extensive experience across New Zealand and overseas, Simon advises on the full range of competition and regulatory matters, including merger control, competition and regulatory enforcement and investigations, and other regulatory and public law issues. 

He has particular expertise in the utilities sector, advising regulated utilities on price controls, compliance and regulatory enforcement matters in the electricity, gas, telecommunications and airports sectors.  He also assists clients with consents and enforcement proceedings under the Overseas Investment Act. 

Simon is recognised as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers Asia Pacific 2026. 

Partner, Russell McVeagh

Tim Clarke is a Partner at Russell McVeagh and leads the firm's Government, Public Law & Policy practice. Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's leading regulatory advisers, Tim has over 30 years' experience helping businesses, infrastructure providers and public sector organisations navigate complex regulatory frameworks, legislative reform and government decision-making. 

His work spans many of New Zealand's most significant sectors, including energy, water, transport, ports, airports and telecommunications.  

Known for combining deep regulatory expertise with a strong understanding of government and policy processes, Tim is a trusted adviser on major reform programmes, economic regulation and strategic stakeholder engagement. He has advised many of New Zealand's leading infrastructure and utility organisations, including Auckland Airport, Port of Auckland, Vector, Watercare and Meridian Energy, as well as government agencies involved in significant sector reforms.  

Tim is consistently recognised as one of New Zealand's leading regulatory and public law advisers and has been ranked Band 1 for Public Law by leading legal directory Chambers & Partners for more than two decades. 

Chief Executive, Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA)

Tracey joined ENA in July 2023 after time at the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission where she was the GM, operations. She has previously had roles at New Zealand Rugby as its GM, communications, and had senior brand, marketing and communications roles with The Co-operative Bank, Wellington City Council and Meridian Energy. 

Director, Sapere 

Vhari McWha is an independent regulatory and competition economist. She is a Director at Sapere and advises on public policy and regulation, including competition analysis and market design. Vhari has a particular interest in the role of prices and pricing methodologies in networks and other markets. She has developed pricing strategies and models for electricity and gas distribution, airports, air navigation services, wastewater, border charges and house insurance.  

Vhari was a Commissioner at the Commerce Commission from 2020 to 2026. During her time at the Commission, Vhari led the economic regulation work of the Commission in energy, dairy and airports and played a significant role in the regulation of the water and fibre sectors. She also sat on competition matters, including market studies into groceries and residential building supplies and more than twenty merger decisions. 

Managing Director, NERA 

Dr Will Taylor is a Managing Director at NERA Economic Consulting, based in Auckland, where he leads the firm's energy, telecommunications and regulatory work across New Zealand and Australia. He has extensive experience in the design and operation of economic regulatory regimes and access pricing across gas and electricity networks, fixed and mobile communications, airports, ports, water, rail and dairy. His advice to regulators and regulated businesses covers the core questions of incentive regulation: expenditure forecasting, productivity assessment, incentive and uncertainty mechanisms, financeability, cost of capital, asset valuation, the regulatory treatment of innovation, and stranding risk. He also advises investors on regulatory due diligence of energy and telecommunications networks. Dr Taylor holds a PhD in economics from Victoria University of Wellington.