Our board of directors
Our board of directors provides overall governance and strategic direction for the organisation. They set our long‑term priorities, make key decisions about how we operate, and ensure we meet our legal and regulatory obligations.
Board members bring a range of experience across governance, infrastructure, finance, regulation, and public service. They are appointed by our Shareholder Representative Forum.
Elena Trout
Chair
Elena is a civil engineer and experienced company director with leadership roles across transport, infrastructure, and energy. She serves on boards such as Citycare, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency and WorkSafe. Elena is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ.
Jaydene Kana
Director
Ko Taupiri me Orangiwhao ngā maunga, ko Waikato te awa, ko Tahaaroa ngā roto, ko Tainui te waka, ko Waikato te Iwi, ko Ngāti Mahuta te hapū, ko Te Kōraha te marae. Jaydene brings extensive experience in governance, finance, and iwi leadership, serving across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Her focus is ensuring that te ao Māori and community perspectives guide decision-making and uphold the mana of our region.
Jon Lamonte
Director
Jon has significant experience in water and transport, including chief executive roles at Watercare, the Auckland/Northland water services entity, Sydney Metro, and Transport for Greater Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a former Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
The board was appointed by the Shareholder Representative Forum on behalf of the partner councils.
About our board meetings
Leadership team
Our leadership team is responsible for our day-to-day management and the delivery of organisational priorities – including service planning and operations, finance and investment, people and culture, customer experience, asset management, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, and compliance and performance.
Our leaders are focused on building a modern, values-led organisation that communities can trust.
How we are governed
We are a council-owned organisation established by six participating Waikato councils. Our shareholding councils work together through agreed governance arrangements that help guide strategic direction, performance expectations, and long-term outcomes. This allows us to focus on delivering water services, while remaining accountable to the communities those councils represent.
Shareholding councils
We are owned by participating councils across the region. This ownership model keeps water assets and services in public hands, while enabling councils to work together for the benefit of their communities.
- Hauraki District Council
- Matamata-Piako District Council
- Ōtorohanga District Council
- South Waikato District Council
- Waitomo District Council
- Waipā District Council
Shareholders' Agreement
The Shareholders' Agreement sets out how councils work together as our owners. It covers ownership arrangements, governance appointments, strategic oversight, decision-making processes, reporting expectations, and long-term accountability. This helps create clarity, consistency, and confidence for all parties.