As a State-owned Enterprise, Transpower’s Board is appointed by its shareholder – the New Zealand Government.
Michele Embling - Chair
Michele has over ten years’ experience as a Chair and Board Member for multiple private, not for profit, and public sector entities. Her other governance roles include Chair of the External Reporting Board (XRB) and board member of AIA New Zealand Limited, IAG New Zealand Limited, Kiwi Property Group Limited, Toitū Tahua – The Centre for Sustainable Finance and the Australian Financial Reporting Council.
Michele served as the Chair of PwC in New Zealand from 2016 to 2020, was a partner for 15 years and held numerous leadership, executive and governance roles within PwC in New Zealand and Asia. She is committed to growing diverse and inclusive leadership for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand, and served as Co-Chair of Champions for Change from 2018 to 2020 and from 2011 to 2018 was a board member and Deputy Chair of Global Women.
She is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), a fellow of Institute of Finance Professionals NZ Inc. (INFINZ) and a member of the Institute of Directors. Michele became the Chair of the Transpower Board in June 2025.
Whaimutu Dewes - Deputy Chair
Whaimutu (Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Rangitihi) has an extensive governance background, having held directorships at organisations including Housing New Zealand, Television New Zealand, Māori Television, Ngāti Porou Holding Company, and Contact Energy. He is a former Chair of Sealord Group and Ngāti Porou Forests Limited.
He has established himself as a leader in Māori business organisations, with particular expertise in fisheries having also served as a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission in its first 10 years.
Mr Dewes holds Bachelors degrees in Arts and Law from Victoria University and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard.
Owen Coppage
Owen has over 45 years of energy industry experience from roles at organisations such as NGC and Southpower. He is a seasoned Chief Information Officer and held the role for AGL Energy for almost 10 years. Mr Coppage currently provides thought leadership, partnering strategy and technology solution assurance to the Tata Consultancy Services globally, industry players in the Australia New Zealand region and various companies directly.
Parekawhia McLean
Parekawhia McLean (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto) has over 20 years of public sector policy and management experience, including advisory roles in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She is the inaugural Chief Executive of Te Kaahui Taatari Ture/Criminal Cases Review Commission and has previously held executive leadership roles at Counties Manakau DHB and Waka Kotahi. She was CEO of Waikato-Tainui between 2010 and 2016.
Parekawhia is current Chair of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato (TWOW), the governing body of Waikato-Tainui, and has held numerous governance roles, including with the National Science Resilience Challenge, Mercury Energy, Te Mangai Paho and Waikato Means Business. She has Masters’ degrees in Social Sciences from the University of Waikato and in Public Administration and Development Policy from the University of Wisconsin.
Merryn York
Merryn is an electrical engineer with more than 30 years' experience in the energy sector. She has extensive expertise in transmission planning, regulatory investment and the delivery of major transmission projects.
Most recently, she was responsible for leading system design and focused on meeting the engineering challenges of a net-zero energy system at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
She has previously served as a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), and before that was Chief Executive of Powerlink Queensland from 2011 to 2019. She has also served as a board member of Energy Networks Australia.
Leon Grice
Leon brings extensive experience in business, government, and international relations to the Transpower Board. He co-founded Rako Science, which deployed innovative COVID-19 testing and previously served as New Zealand’s Consul General in Los Angeles. He has advised major international investors in New Zealand’s energy, forestry, and fisheries sectors and is currently on the board of Antarctica NZ.
Leon has founded several ventures across biotech, media, and property, and has a strong track record in building teams and managing complex projects. He holds a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Canterbury and has a long-standing connection to infrastructure and logistics, including work supporting Antarctic operations, which involved the rebuild of Scott Base and upgrade of the wind farm providing renewable energy to New Zealand and United States operations on Ross Island.
Kevin Palmer
Kevin brings over 30 years of senior financial and governance experience to the Transpower Board. Most recently Chief Financial Officer at Trustpower, he played a key role in major corporate initiatives including the demerger of Tilt Renewables and the sale of Trustpower’s retail business. He has also held executive roles at WEL Networks and served as Chair of King Country Energy.
A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director, Kevin is known for his strategic leadership, transformation expertise, and deep understanding of New Zealand’s energy sector. He currently holds governance roles across the infrastructure and community sectors.