John Luke
FYI website
[FYI request #13625 email]
28 September 2020
Dear John Luke
Re: Official Information Act Request – Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund
Thank you for your email of 31 August 2020 requesting the following information under the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. The names and bios of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (the Contestable Fund)
independent assessment panel members
2. Members’ pay rate, Terms of Reference and term of appointment
3. How the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) called for public expression
of interest in these positions.
With regards to the first point of your request, please find the names and bios of Contestable Fund
independent assessment panel members that participated in the Round 8 evaluation process
(announced August 2020) in Appendix One.
In accordance with the Fees Framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has
an interest1, the panel chair is entitled to claim $1,000 per day (ex GST) for their work as the chair
of the panel. Panel members are entitled to claim $600 per day (ex GST) for their work on the
panel. This includes preparing for, traveling to, and attending meetings.
Travel and accommodation arrangements are organised and paid by EECA wherever practicable.
Reasonable disbursements associated with attendance at meetings will be reimbursed by EECA, on
submission of receipts. If travel, accommodation and meals cannot be organised by EECA, then
actual and reasonable costs will be reimbursed.
1 https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/Legacy/resources/CO-19-1-Fees-Framework-for-members-appointed-to-
bodies-in-which-the-Crown-has-an-interest.pdf
Wellington Level 8 ∙ 44 The Terrace ∙ PO Box 388 ∙ Wellington 6140 ∙ New Zealand ∙ P +64 4 470 2200
Auckland Level 7 ∙ AIG Building ∙ 41 Shortland Street ∙ Auckland 1141 ∙ New Zealand
Christchurch Level 1 ∙ BNZ Centre ∙ 120 Hereford Street ∙ Christchurch 8011 ∙ New Zealand
www.eeca.govt.nz ∙ 0800 358 676
Attached also are the Terms of Reference for panel members of the Contestable Fund. The terms
of appointment are set out in this document.
Coming to your third point around selection process, we have both identified people who we
believe have the appropriate background and experience to contribute at the required level and
sought recommendations from agencies, such as the Ministry of Transport and NZ Transport
Agency.
As specified in the Terms of Reference, panel members are appointed based on the
recommendation of the Chief Executive of EECA (after consultation with the panel Chair).
Members comprise a mix of expertise, including project evaluation, equity investment, business
strategy, machinery of government, marketing, electric vehicle and technology and other
commercial and innovation experience – at least three members should come from the private
sector.
While there have been movements on and off the panel over the years, for the last few rounds we
have had panel membership consistency. We have found this consistency to be invaluable for
comparing various applications across rounds as well as resubmissions. It helps ensure value for
money and that each round’s recommendations are aligned with previous recommendations.
You have the right under section 28 of the Official Information Act to seek a review by the
Ombudsman of the response I have provided to your request.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Caseley
Chief Executive
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Appendix One: Independent assessment panel member bios
Elena Trout (Chair)
Elena has been an EECA Board member since 2013 and was appointed Chair in 2019. She
has a Masters of Civil Engineering and is a fellow of Engineering NZ. She has held executive
roles in the transport, infrastructure and energy sectors and has managed the planning and
delivery of large infrastructure services.
Elena is an independent director of several boards and often undertakes independent
assessments of organisations’ infrastructure programmes. Elena is a Fellow of the Institute
of Directors.
John Hancock
John Hancock is a well-known energy utilities consultant and commentator. He chairs the
Electricity Authority’s Innovation & Participation Advisory Group, and was a member of the
Expert Advisory Group for the 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 utilities industry around the world for over 30 years.
Ken Shirley
Ken Shirley was formerly a Minister of the Crown and chief executive officer of the Road
Transport Forum.
Ken also served as a Director of industry training association MITO for six years.
Elizabeth Halsted
Liz Halsted is Energy and Advisory Services Leader at Arup and a New Zealand Hydrogen
Association Board member.
Liz has worked in New Zealand, Australia and the UK in energy, integrated transport,
emerging technologies, sustainability and demand management over the last 18 years.
Roger Sutton
Roger is the Chief Executive Officer of EA Networks. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of
the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and immediately prior to that led the
Christchurch-based electricity lines company Orion.
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