Meet the candidates standing in this year’s MainPower Trust election. The information below has been provided by the candidates and is available in your voting pack.
Disclaimer: The Returning Officer for the MainPower Trust accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy contained in the statements as supplied by the candidates.
The MainPower Trust owns 100% of MainPower (NZ) Limited. You, along with all those who reside or who own a business in the wider North Canterbury and Kaikoura community and whose premises are connected to MainPower’s electricity network are the beneficiaries of the Trust.
I joined the Trust during 2017 and would welcome your support for a further term.
Relevant Qualifications and Experience
Chartered Accountant (CA AusNZ)
Fellow, New Zealand Institute of Management (FNZIM)
Member, Institute of Directors (IOD)
During my career I have held a number of senior executive positions in industry, commerce and education and for 28 years prior to my retirement I was the Chief Executive and Managing Director of MainPower (NZ) Limited.
My Commitment
I will continue to act in good faith and in what I believe will be in the best interest of all of the Trust’s beneficiaries.
Your continuing support is appreciated.
I am a Hanmer Springs–based business owner with a strong commitment to the future of our region. Living and working locally has given me a clear understanding of how vital reliable infrastructure and sound long-term planning are for our local communities, households, and businesses.
As a business owner, I bring practical experience in governance, financial responsibility, and strategic decision-making. I value transparency, accountability, and open communication, and I believe these are essential qualities for a MainPower trustee.
I am passionate about ensuring our region remains resilient, sustainable, and well prepared for future growth. I support responsible asset management, innovation in energy delivery, and decision-making that balances affordability with long-term reliability.
With strong local connections and a genuine interest in listening to community perspectives, I am motivated to represent consumer interests across North Canterbury and contribute positively to MainPower’s future.
Alan Gulleford spent 40 years in the printing industry where his qualifications included Trade and Advanced Trade Certificates. He was Managing Director of a printing works for 18 years in Christchurch, while also farming cattle at Te Pirita, Canterbury.
Other experience includes travelling irrigator installation, quantity surveying and as a Store Manager for a fertiliser co-op.
Alan is the Secretary of the Lions Club of Kaikoura, and actively serves his community. This includes being a member of Aging Well Kaikoura, a group reporting to Council on services, accommodation and well-being for older residents. He is also a director of Innovative Waste Kaikoura.
Alan and his wife Chris enjoy people, projects, family, old cars and helping others.
I am committed to strengthening MainPower’s role as a community owned electricity provider. To ensure that the Trust continues to deliver enduring value for its beneficiaries. I support the Trust’s mission to manage MainPower’s shareholding responsibly and sustainably for the benefit of qualifying customers. This includes upholding strong governance, monitoring performance, and ensuring MainPower remains financially resilient.
I am particularly motivated by MainPower’s long term strategic direction, which prioritises network resilience, sustainable investment, and enabling our region’s transition to low carbon, renewable energy solutions.
My personal motivation is rooted in wanting to give back to a community, helping ensure reliable, affordable, and future ready energy for the next generation. I am also deeply committed to transparency, ensuring decisions are communicated openly and that beneficiaries have clear insight into how value is created and protected. As a trustee, I will work to protect community ownership and deliver strong regional cost-effective outcomes.
As a sheep and beef farmer near Waipara, with a young family, I’m well aware of the opportunities we enjoy in North Canterbury.
A business and industry background coupled with practical farming experience would make me an effective MainPower trustee.
I’ve worked successfully in diverse teams and bring an ability to think strategically, beyond the short term.
Previous & current governance experience
• Hurunui Landcare Group founding member
• Future Hurunui Governance Group
• Hurunui Adverse Events Committee founding member (drought & earthquake response)
• Director – family farming companies
• Waipara School BoT Chair
• Beef+Lamb NZ Northern South Island Farmer Council Chair
• Waimakariri Greenhouse Gas Collective Facilitator
• Waimakariri Ecological Landscape Restoration Alliance Trust
• Ballance Farm Environment Awards judging coordinator, committee member
• Twice Grand finalist, Young Farmer Contest
• Amberley A&P President
• Canterbury A&P Committee
• NZ Corriedale Society Chair
Qualifications
• BCom (Canterbury)
• GradDiplAppSci (Lincoln)
• Institute of Directors Governance Training
• Advanced Agri-Business Management (Cirencester, UK)
I am a community sector and social impact leader living in Rangiora with my husband and children, committed to strengthening the wellbeing and resilience of North Canterbury. As Fundraising and Communications Manager at Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust, I work closely with local businesses, and community partners.
I am a trustee for the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, supporting quality, responsive services for affected people and whānau. I also serve on the board of Caritas New Zealand, bringing experience in humanitarian aid, development practice, and internationally informed strategic thinking.
Alongside this, I am completing a PhD on how digital platforms have affected New Zealand non-profit organisations, and in 2023 received the Institute of Directors’ First Steps in Governance Award. I believe the MainPower Trust plays a vital role in our region, and I bring relational leadership, strategic insight, and a commitment to a strong, future‑focused North Canterbury.
I am a North Canterbury-based independent director and farmer (Amberley House/St Leonards Station) with over 20 years’ governance experience across infrastructure, property, agriculture, automotive, publishing and community-owned enterprises.
I am standing for election because I strongly support the principle that essential infrastructure—particularly electricity networks—should be affordable, well-governed, financially sound, and firmly in community ownership.
My governance background includes numerous long-standing board roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments involving public ownership, local authorities, and private capital. I have extensive experience managing risk and compliance, and stewarding significant assets for long-term intergenerational benefits. I am comfortable scrutinising strategy, financial performance, and capital structures while maintaining constructive relationships with fellow directors and management.
If elected, I will bring independent judgement, strong commercial and financial oversight, and a deep commitment to protecting community ownership while ensuring MainPower NZ Ltd continues to operate in the best long-term interests of its customers & our community.
I’m married to Brenda with 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren. I have farmed in the Weka Pass for nearly 40 years and have a strong sense of community having held various positions on a number of community organisations. I’m currently on the Board of the North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival and also treasurer, having been involved since its inception. I’m the treasurer and a founding trustee of the Hawarden – Waikari Community Vehicle Trust and a founding rural firefighter and current member of the Hurunui Rural Fire Brigade serving 35 years. I am a trustee of Church Property Trustees for the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. I am a Vestry member of the Parish of Glenmark-Waikari and have held the role of People’s and Bishop’s Warden.
As a trustee, I would look to monitor the performance of MainPower for beneficial financial results for residents and supply of electricity to all.
A lifelong resident of the Waikuku–Woodend district, I’m proud to raise my three daughters – Ella, Molly, and Lucy – here with my wife, Rachael.
I bring strong leadership and management experience from my role as a Regional Sales Manager in the logistics industry, alongside a long-standing commitment to community service. I am currently serving on the Woodend-Sefton Community Board for a third term, where I am the Chair. I also currently chair the Woodpecker Trust, and am President of the Woodend Rugby Club, where I’m honoured to be both a Life Member and Patron. I served for 12 years on the Woodend School Board of Trustees and was the chairman of the Woodend Community Association for many years.
I’m passionate about supporting our growing community and I am looking forward to representing MainPower and bringing with me this strong community focus.
I am the Founder and Managing Director of Amuri Net, a telecommunications company. Established in 2005 to bring reliable, broadband via wireless and fibre to Canterbury. What began as a small, community‑driven wireless project has grown into a resilient regional network that now supports farms, businesses, and households.
My professional background is in electrical distribution and network operations. After leaving school I spent 14 years with Orion New Zealand and its predecessors (Central Canterbury Electric Power Board and Southpower) starting as an electrical apprentice and working up to high‑voltage network operator based in the control room.
After leaving Orion I spent 10 years working on a family dairy farm where we were milking approximately 800 cows just north of Culverden.
I would like to be a Mainpower trustee and continue the important work the trust does for our community and for its electricity users.
A North Canterbury resident for 30 years, residing in the Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts. I currently work for a local business group operating in construction and associated sectors, along with owning/operating a property development company.
Prior experience includes roles in the energy sector supplying the rural sector in Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikoura Districts along with the management of energy networks.
I believe efficient, cost effect energy is a primary driver in the economic growth of the regions which is crucial to building the communities that make Mainpower Trust’s area of operations the best part of the country to live work and play in.
My background allows for both a recognition of customer needs for low cost, reliable energy supply whether in a residential, commercial, or rural context balanced with the need for prudent investment and management of the Trust’s assets to deliver this to these communities reliably into the future.
I am an existing Trustee, currently completing my first six-year term. I am married to Julie and have lived, farmed, and worked in North Canterbury for more than 35 years.
My career includes over 20 years in senior roles with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, along with governance and advisory positions across community organisations, irrigation schemes, and sports clubs. This experience enables me to represent the diverse communities of North Canterbury and Kaikōura with confidence.
I see the Trustee role as having two key priorities: ensuring MainPower continues to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity, and promoting the company as a major partner and supporter of local communities, sport, and youth development.
I have greatly enjoyed working to strengthen collaboration between the Trust and the MainPower Board as we pursue our shared strategic goals. I look forward to the opportunity to continue representing you and all beneficiaries.
I am Chief Executive of Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC) leading economic development for our growing region. I live in Mandeville and hold a Graduate Diploma in Economic Development, IOD’s Company Directors Course and have extensive business experience, having owned seven businesses prior to joining ENC.
I have served on the boards of Economic Development New Zealand and Community Wellbeing North Canterbury and currently on the Canterbury Mayoral Forum Energy Steering Group overseeing the development of a Canterbury Regional Energy Strategy. My work at ENC focuses on supporting local businesses through a wide range of regional initiatives.
If elected, I will protect the community’s investment in MainPower while maximising the value of community ownership. I will provide values-based leadership to advance sustainable renewable energy, while supporting their valuable community projects.
Energy and electricity are the backbone of an economy, and it would be my honour to represent the community.
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