Networks & Entities

HBPCT Unison Investigation

Investigation into Hawke Bay Power Consumers Trust and Unison Networks relationship. Examines governance and conflicts of interest.

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RESEARCH 25: HAWKE'S BAY POWER CONSUMERS TRUST & UNISON NETWORKS

Date: December 29, 2025 (UTC) Capture IP: 207.49.133.146 Objective: Research HBPCT and Unison Networks board connections to the investigation network

KEY FINDING: OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

Source: HBPCT Website and Unison Networks URL: https://www.hbpct.co.nz/ and https://www.unison.co.nz/

Ownership Chain

`

Hawke's Bay Power Consumers Trust (HBPCT)

↓ (owns shares on behalf of consumers)

Unison Networks Limited

↓ (formerly HB Electric Power Board)

Unison Contracting Services

`

CURRENT TRUSTEES (2024)

| Trustee | Position |

|---------|----------|

| Kirsten WESTWOOD | Chair |

| Barbara ARNOTT | Trustee |

| Jeffrey FARNWORTH | Trustee |

| David PEARSON | Trustee |

| Craig WATERHOUSE | Trustee |

CURRENT UNISON BOARD (2025)

| Director | Position | Key Background |

|----------|----------|----------------|

| Rob Wheater | Chair (2024) | 27 years electrical industry, Havelock North |

| Blair O'Keeffe | Deputy Chair | Chair of Napier Port, former CEO |

| Dan Druzianic | Audit & Risk Chair | Director of Napier Port, HBRIC |

| Barbara Elliston | Director | Former Transpower, Genesis director |

| Wendie Harvey | Director | Former Napier Port, Centralines director |

| Jon Nichols | Director | Former Napier Port, Centralines Chair |

HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS TO INVESTIGATION

Graham Mitchell Cowley (Deceased 2020)

From previous research (Research 17), Graham Cowley was:

  • Chairman of Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board (predecessor to Unison)
  • Director of Unison Networks Limited (1997-1999)
  • Director of Aquiline Holdings Limited

Ronald James Scott

From previous research:

  • Director of Unison Networks Limited (1997-1999)
  • Founder of Aquiline Holdings Limited
  • Served on Unison board at the same time as Graham Cowley

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Public-Private Crossover Pattern

The same individuals who controlled public utilities (Unison/HB Electric Power Board) also controlled private investment companies (Aquiline Holdings):

| Individual | Public Role | Private Role |

|------------|-------------|--------------|

| Graham Cowley | HB Electric Power Board Chairman | Aquiline Holdings Director |

| Ronald Scott | Unison Networks Director | Aquiline Holdings Founder |

Napier Port Connection

Multiple current Unison directors also serve on Napier Port board:
  • Blair O'Keeffe (Chair of Napier Port)
  • Dan Druzianic (Director of Napier Port Holdings)
  • Jon Nichols (Former Napier Port director)
This suggests a continuing pattern of interlocking directorships among Hawke's Bay's elite.

WENDIE HARVEY - KEY FIGURE

Wendie Harvey is particularly significant:

  • Former GM Operations Support at Unison (until 2011)
  • Former director of Centralines (Central Hawke's Bay power)
  • Current Chair of Hawke's Bay Airport
  • Current director of TAB New Zealand (gambling connection?)

Her background in law and extensive governance experience makes her a potential link between the power sector and other networks.

EVIDENCE CAPTURED

| Item | File |

|------|------|

| Screenshot | SCREENSHOTS/25_UNISON_BOARD.webp |

| Source URL | https://www.unison.co.nz/tell-me-about/unison-group/board-of-directors/ |