Electricity Authority Advisory Group

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.

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.

Sam Elder is a climate strategist and founder of Climate Navigator, a consultancy driving climate and energy transitions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

She began her career in the UK as a spacecraft thermal systems engineer, contributing to key missions, including the NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2006, Sam has led impactful roles across a number of sectors including:

• Plant & Food Research – managed NZ’s largest outcomes-based science programme.
• Meridian Energy – led smart energy initiatives and insights.
• Akina Foundation – built social enterprise capacity as Southern Director.
• Environment Canterbury – developed a pioneering Climate Change Integration programme.
• OrionNZ – founded their Energy Futures team.

She has also co-chaired the ENA’s Future Networks Forum, promoting collaboration in electricity distribution.

Sam holds a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, an MSc in Environmental and Energy Studies, and qualified as a UK Chartered Mechanical Engineer.

Sam is based in Christchurch.

Biography to follow.

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.

Pauline Martin is a respected leader in New Zealand’s energy sector, with extensive expertise across electricity and carbon markets. Her career spans engineering, trading and executive leadership, giving her a uniquely holistic view of the energy value chain – from generation and transmission to retail and market strategy.

Pauline began her career as an electrical engineer before transitioning into commercial and trading roles that shaped her broad industry perspective. She joined Genesis Energy in 2018 as Senior Commercial Analyst, and quickly progressed to General Manager, Electricity and Carbon. In 2022, she was appointed Chief Trading Officer, where she led the company’s electricity and carbon portfolio hedging and managed its active trading book, playing a key role in Genesis’s strategic shift toward more sustainable energy markets.

She currently serves as Origination Manager at InCommodities, a technology-driven energy trading firm headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark. In this role, she focuses on market development and strategic partnerships across the industry.

Pauline’s leadership is defined by her commitment to innovation, sustainability, and transformative market thinking.

Pauline is based in Auckland.

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.

Bio coming soon.

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.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

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.

Bio coming soon.

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.