Waipa Networks Trust
- Sarah Matthews topped the poll in the Waipā Networks Trust election, which closed at 5pm yesterday.
Sarah Matthews
The current chair secured 3653 of the 4312 votes cast – a measly voter return of 14.8 per cent but an overwhelming vote of confidence in her.
Two Waipā district councillors – Marcus Gower and Philip Coles – were also elected. Gower, an existing trustee, polled second ahead of current deputy Dave McLean and fellow trustee Ray Milner. Te Awamutu chartered accountant Jarrod Godfrey joins Coles as new trustees.
The unsuccessful candidates were both from Cambridge – company director director Pip Kempthorne and accountant Rollo Webb.
Results: Sarah Matthews 3653, Marcus Gower 2991, Dave McLean 2807, Ray Milner 2463, Jarrod Godfrey 2288, Philip Coles 1738. Unsuccessful: Pip Kempthorne 1687, Rollo Webb 1687.
The network trust owns Waipā Networks Ltd which is responsible for the electricity lines throughout Waipa, parts of Waikato and Ōtorohanga districts and delivers power to nearly 40,000 consumers. The trust distributed $6.147 million in discounts to customers in the financial year ended March 31, 2023.
See: Why poll topper must quit
26 September 2pm
Two Waipā councillors and a former district council staffer will rely on votes from mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan to get onto the local electricity network trust.
Steph O’Sullivan
The council has 230 connections with Waipā Networks – 100 per cent owned by Waipā Networks Trust – acting group manager Business Support Georgina Knapp told councillors this week.
There are eight candidates for six positions on the trust including Philip Coles and incumbent Marcus Gower, both elected district councillors. The trust is chaired by Sarah Matthews who was the council’s Finance manager until July 2021 and now works at Taupō District Council as group manager Organisation Performance.
“In the view of council officers, it is important that council exercises its ability to vote in an effort to ensure good candidates are elected,” said Knapp.
Susan O’Regan
The trust has been operating with five trustees since last year when previous chair Craig Sanders resigned after moving to Dunedin.
The other trustees are Judy Bannon – who is standing down – Ray Milner and David McLean – Te Awamutu chartered accountant Jarrod Godfrey, Cambridge director Pip Kempthorne and Cambridge accountant Rollo Webb are also standing.
Voting papers were sent either by mail or electronically to the nearly 30,000 eligible customers about a fortnight ago. Voting closes at 5pm on Tuesday October 1.
Knapp recommended giving O’Regan and O’Sullivan delegated authority to cast Waipā council’s votes.
“They will do this with due regard to the skill and experience of the candidates, and the likelihood of the candidate to act in the interests of both council and the Waipā community as a whole,” she said.
