Discounts team take majority in WEL Trust election

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

WEL Networks is owned by WEL Energy Trust, which has just held its trustee elections.

More electricity bill discounts are expected following the WEL Energy Trust elections.

The Waikato-based trust manages over $1.1 billion dollars in community assets, under its ownership of the region’s lines company WEL Networks.

Trustees govern the trust and make decisions about community grants, the annual customer electricity rebate, energy hardship programmes and energy efficiency initiatives.

Candidate Michael West gained 5,151 votes.

This year the trust paid out $10.5 million in community grants to organisations and approved electricity annual discounts of $18.74m (up to a maximum of $240 per household).

The two opposing sides in the WEL Energy election differed in how to divvy up those competing priorities.

Discounts & Impact team member Alan Chew received 5,562 votes.

This year, preliminary results show the Your Discounts Team took the majority of the seven trustee positions available, with Geoff Booth (5,873 votes), Matt Silverton (5,680 votes), Michael West (5,151 votes) and Adrian Yamunanathan (4,607 votes) all elected.

Rachel Afeaki (6,202 votes) took most votes overall and was elected alongside fellow More Grants, Discounts & Impact team member Alan Chew (5,562 votes).

Former Hamilton Mayor and independent candidate Paula Southgate (4,635 votes) took the remaining trustee position on offer.

Voter turnout was just 9.43%.

The trust’s Capital Beneficiaries are the Hamilton City Council (63%), Waikato District Council (35%) and the Waipa District Council (2%).