In January 1998 the Government returned the ownership of the local electricity network to the people of Southland by establishing The Southland Electric Power Supply Consumer Trust.

The Trust holds all the shares in The Power Company Limited on behalf of consumers connected to the Company's network and distributes the benefits to these consumers.

The Government appointed the initial five Trustees, with subsequent Trustees elected by the electricity consumers.

While the Trustees do not have any direct involvement with the operation of The Power Company or PowerNet, they are responsible for appointing the Directors of The Power Company Limited, negotiating strategic direction and performance objectives with the Directors on behalf of consumers, and holding a public Annual Meeting of the Trust.

The Trustees are:

	Vaughan Templeton, Chair Vaughan has been a Trustee since 1998 and was elected as Chair in 2005. A farmer from Riverton, Vaughan is also a Federated Farmers environment spokesman, occasional golfer and amateur musician. He was a Nuffield Scholar in 2006 with a particular interest in improving environmental outcomes from farming practices.
	Jim Hargest Jim is a livestock farmer in Rakahouka. Jim has been an elected Trustee since 2005. He was a member of the Edendale Veterinary Club for over 30 years and served 12 years on the New Zealand Executive of the Veterinary Club Movement. He is married to Alison and they have three adult children. Jim participates in multi-sports and outdoor pursuits and is interested in family, friends, fitness and farming.
	Ron McDonald Ron is a consultant and elected to the Trust in 2001. He is an avid Rotarian associated with the Gore Rotary Club and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow in 1997. Ron is a life member and the current President of the Gore Probus Club and is also a life member of the Gore Dog Trial Club. He plays golf "very occasionally" and is married to Nancy with three adult children.
	Don Nicolson Don was elected as a Trustee to the Southland Electric Power Supply Consumer Trust in 1999. He has a long association with Federated Farmers of New Zealand both at a local and national level and currently holds the position as the National President. Don and his family farm sheep, deer and forestry at Waimatua. Interests include the bloodstock industry, most sports and agri-politics.
	Graham Sycamore Gaham is currently serving as an Invercargill City Councillor, a Trustee of Southland Museum and Art Gallery, a Trustee of the Norman Jones Foundation and a Trustee of the Southland Rural Heritage Trust. He was the Governing Director of Sycamore Print Limited until the business was sold to new owners in 2005. Graham is passionate about "all things cycling" and is an International Cycling Commissaire, a Life Member of Cycling Southland and involved in many cycling events throughout Southland.