MEDIA RELEASE
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016
EECA Chief Executive to retire
After almost 10 years as Chief Executive of EECA, Mike Underhill has announced plans to retire from the role towards the
end of this year.
Mr Underhill has a long history in the energy sector with previous chief executive roles at WEL Networks, TransAlta NZ
and Energy Direct.
EECA has had many successes under Mr Underhill’s leadership. They include helping to insulate more than 300,000 homes
under various Government programmes, a business programme which is helping large energy users save millions of dollars
each year through energy efficiency, and the award-winning Energy Spot advertising campaign.
“It’s been a privilege to lead EECA’s long-term efforts to establish the importance of energy efficiency and renewables
to our economy and people’s everyday wellbeing,” says Mr Underhill.
“New Zealand has arrived at an exciting point where the links between energy, climate change and economic growth are
better understood than ever before. Although I will step back from full-time work I remain very committed to the energy
sector and look forward to seeing our energy future evolve.”
EECA Chair, Tom Campbell, says Mr Underhill's passionate and positive leadership has seen the role, relevance and impact
of EECA grow significantly over his time as Chief Executive and the Board will be very sorry to see him depart.
ENDS