We have a board comprising seven non-executive directors, four of whom (including the Chair) are independent of the gas industry.
Independent Directors
Hon Amy Adams
Amy Adams is a former NZ Member of Parliament who served from 2008 to 2020 as a representative of the National Party, including 6 years in Cabinet. Before entering politics, she had a successful career in law, practicing as a commercial lawyer. Her legal background influenced her work in Parliament, where she was known for her analytical approach to legislative matters. During her tenure, Amy held several key ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Justice, Associate Minister of Finance, Minister for Communications and Minister for the Environment.
In her ministerial roles, Amy was active in shaping policy on infrastructure and economic development. Her efforts included driving improvements in New Zealand’s telecommunications infrastructure and advocating for policies that supported business growth and economic stability. Amy also served on various parliamentary committees scrutinizing and shaping legislation.
Amy is the current Chancellor of the University of Canterbury and holds volunteer positions with St John Ambulance and Melanoma NZ.
Andrew Brown
Andrew is a senior commercial adviser having worked on major infrastructure projects with Crown Infrastructure Partners, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kāinga Ora and KiwiRail. He has considerable experience with projects and major commercial contracting matters across a range of industries.
Previously, Andrew was a leading corporate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience as a partner at Bell Gully and has worked on his own account and as general counsel for both KiwiRail and Housing New Zealand Corporation.
Sam Elder
Sam is an energy sector professional, currently working with Orion Group as General Manager Energy Futures. She started out leading a spacecraft thermal engineering group in the UK, before moving to NZ in 2006.
Since then, she has held a range of leadership roles including Retail Insight Manager at Meridian Energy, South Island Director at the Ākina Foundation, and Senior Strategy Manager at Environment Canterbury. Sam has an MSc in Advanced Energy & Environmental Studies and is GARP SCR (Sustainability & Climate Risk) certified.
Non Independent Directors
Babu Bahirathan
Babu graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics with first class honours. He has since completed study towards a Masters in Finance from Massey University.
After graduating, Babu joined Transpower NZ and went on to spend nine years there in a wide range of roles including planning, development, design, operations and new investments.
In 1999 Babu joined Todd Energy as a Business Analyst just as Todd entered the retail electricity market. He has played a major role in developing and managing Todd’s electricity business from its infancy. Babu held the position of Group Manager Electricity from 2006 until 2011 when he was appointed Vice President Downstream Energy. In 2022 he moved into his current role and is responsible for Todd Corporation’s Downstream Energy wholesale and retail gas, electricity and solar businesses including Nova Energy, Todd Generation, Sunergise and megaTEL.
Mike Fuge
Mike is the CEO of Contact Energy. Mike has over 30 years’ experience in the energy sector which has included 19 years with Shell International in upstream oil and gas production over a range of countries in Europe, Middle East and South East Asia. Mike previously headed up Refining NZ Ltd and Pacific Hydro Ltd (based out of Melbourne).
Paul Goodeve
Paul is the CEO of the Firstgas Group, being appointed in 2016 following the purchase of Vector gas assets and the Maui pipeline from Maui Partners.
The Firstgas Group has subsequently purchased New Zealand’s largest LPG retailer, Rockgas, and New Zealand’s only gas storage facility, Ahuroa.
Paul is a Chartered Accountant, Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and a member of the Institute of Directors. Paul is currently Director of Ara Ake.