Nominations for Trust Horizon Kawerau and Ōpōtiki Trustee elections open this Friday

This Friday 7th July, nominations open for the 2023 Trust Horizon Trustees election. Two Trustee positions – one from the Kawerau District Council area, and one from the Ōpōtiki District Council area – will be open to nominations, with an election to take place in October this year.

A total of six Trustees (four elected, two appointed) sit on the board. Their role is to ensure the Trust’s funds and investments – including 100% ownership of Horizon Networks – create long-term positive benefits for the local community.

Trust Horizon’s newest trustee, Yvonne Boyes, joined the Board in 2021. “It has been an incredibly rewarding experience. From providing engineering and electric vehicle kits to schools, to events such as Light Up Whakatāne, it’s great to be part of a team that’s making so much happen in the Eastern Bay.”

“Our Trustees play an integral part in governing the strategic direction of the Trust and responding to the needs of the community they serve,” says Derek Caudwell, Trust Horizon Chief Executive. “As with any board, it is important that those serving have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and passion for creating opportunities in our local community.”

Experience in the electrical industry is not a requirement of the role. The current Trustees’ skills span a diverse range of industries – including education, governance, marketing, health, law, and business. “My background is in health, but the Trust provided all the support I needed to learn about the intricacies of the electrical industry,” says Boyes. “To be a Trustee, you just need the drive to make a difference in the community that you live in.”

The time commitment involved is roughly two days per month. However, as Boyes explains, the role can be what the individual makes of it. “The more committed you are, the more positive change you can achieve,” says Boyes. “The organisation gets a lot done, so Trustees do need to take a responsible view and have genuine care for the community.”

The public now have the chance to cast their nominations, ahead of the election on Monday 2nd October 2023. Eligible candidates must be over 18 years old, and a resident of the Kawerau or Ōpōtiki areas. 

Nomination papers are available for download at trusthorizon.org.nz. To receive papers by post or email, contact the electoral office on 0800 922 822 or info@electionservices.co.nz. Papers can also be collected in person from the Trust Horizon office, 5 Richardson Street, Whakatāne. 

Nominations must be received by noon on Friday 4th August 2023. 

If there are more nominations than vacancies to be filled (one from the Kawerau District Council area, and one from the Ōpōtiki District Council area), an election will be held by postal and electronic voting, with voting documents mailed to electricity consumers in the respective area(s) from Monday 4th September, 2023. 

To find out more, please contact the electoral office, telephone 0800 922 822.