Align is proud to be part of
EEA Conference 2025
📍TE PAE CHRISTCHURCH
📅 9 - 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
New Zealand’s leading electricity industry conference, where innovation meets infrastructure.
As a trusted partner to electricity network providers and regulators, we’re excited to join the conversation on shaping Aotearoa’s electrified future.
Visit us at our stand at Te Pae Christchurch to explore how we’re delivering smarter, sustainable solutions across the energy landscape. You’ll also have the chance to hear from our team during the speaker programme as we share insights from real-world projects and community-led outcomes.
Meet the Align Team at booth 79
Whether you're looking to collaborate, ask questions, or see our latest work in action, we’d love to connect at EEA 2025.
Jo Michalakis
Jo Michalakis is the Group Manager – Planning at multi-disciplinary infrastructure consultancy Align Limited. Align have been long time supporters of EEA Conferences. Jo has over 20 years of experience in resource management planning, working across the public and private sector, and has significant electricity industry experience.
Jo has led or contributed to complex line route and substation site selection, consenting and designation projects on behalf of Counties Energy, Vector, Electra, Wellington Electricity, Horizons and Clarus. In addition to her project leadership, Jo provides strategic advice to electricity sector clients on stakeholder engagement, local policy development and national legislative reform.
✉ jmichalakis@align.net.nz
☎ +64 27 232 0496
Graham Hall
Graham Hall has extensive experience in UK infrastructure, with over 20 years at BT and Telereal, and several years at National Grid. At National Grid, he worked with Asset Management and Network Planning teams across electricity and gas networks, including the national gas metering business. He also helped bring UK Construction operations back in-house and supported land remediation and disposal projects.
Graham is trained in substation safety and holds a Medium Risk Confined Spaces accreditation for work in underground transmission tunnels. Earlier in his career, he managed BT operational sites across the UK and led the decommissioning of redundant assets for reuse or disposal.
✉ ghall@align.net.nz
☎ +64 27 236 5570
Mike Robinson
Mike is a specialist in the area of strategic planning for infrastructure. He has in-depth knowledge of property and planning work-streams for large-scale projects in the electricity sector, and the Resource Management Act 1991, Electricity Act 1992 and Public Works At 1981.
Mike has acted for major electricity, gas, roading and water providers across New Zealand including managing the route selection, consenting and property workstreams for major greenfield 220 kV, 110 kV and 33 kV transmission projects. He has previously acted for Crown Law as an expert witness in the Environment Court in relation to the adequacy of the route and site selection process for Top Energy’s 110 kV Kaikohe to Wiroa project.
✉ mrobinson@align.net.nz
☎ +64 27 235 1820
Event Schedule
JO MICHALAKIS
Group Manager - Planning
ASSET MANAGEMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
Navigating the new landscape: Resource management reform and the future of electricity infrastructure
New Zealand’s planning system is undergoing major reform, shifting from the Resource Management Act to the new Planning and Natural Environment Acts. This presentation will explore what the changes mean for electricity infrastructure—particularly route and site selection, consenting, and environmental considerations.
Jo will discuss the role of Regional Spatial Plans in identifying future corridors and how new national direction could streamline approvals. With a dual focus on development and environmental protection, understanding the new framework will be key to delivering future-ready, consentable projects that support New Zealand’s decarbonisation goals.
WEDNESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2025
1:30PM - 1:50pm
Align's track record in this sector, with over 25 years of experience in consenting electricity infrastructure of all scales, across the country.
Powering Progress with Proven Expertise
At Align, we don’t just support electricity infrastructure, we help drive it forward. With over 25 years of experience working alongside New Zealand’s transmission and distribution networks, we know what it takes to get energy projects delivered.
We provide specialist property, planning, and strategic advisory services tailored to the electricity sector. From greenfield substations and HVDC upgrades to complex easement negotiations and environmental planning, we’ve done it all — and we do it well.
Whether you're undertaking a major capital project or navigating the day to day, our team becomes an extension of yours; bringing clarity, confidence, and momentum to every phase of delivery.
Why Choose Align?
Because we bring more than just expertise. We bring integrity, commitment, and results.
Deep sector knowledge.
Proven track record with clients like Transpower, Top Energy, WEL Networks, Electra, and Counties Energy.
Practical solutions that cut through complexity.
End to end support, from strategy to execution.
Let’s work together to power New Zealand’s energy future.
Learn about our services
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Expert advice on property, planning, legal, and regulatory requirements to guide your infrastructure project from concept to execution.
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Integrated strategy development covering budgets, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and risk profiling to set your project up for success.
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Identification of optimal sites and routes for substations and transmission lines, balancing technical, property, and planning constraints.
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Skilled negotiation and acquisition of property rights, including compensation agreements and commercial site purchases.
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Coordinated engagement strategies with landowners and stakeholders to build trust, secure access, and support project outcomes.
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Culturally respectful and collaborative engagement with iwi throughout planning and implementation phases.
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Representation and submission work in response to national, regional, and district-level policy or legislative changes.
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Full management of resource consent applications and Notices of Requirement (NoRs) for project designations.
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Specialist guidance on access and upgrade provisions under Part 3 of the Electricity Act 1992 and compulsory acquisition under Section 186 of the RMA.
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Drafting, review, and management of legal documentation including easements, leases, and property-related agreements.
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Comprehensive land surveying and registration services to secure long-term access for infrastructure.
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Visual impact assessments, including photo montages, to support consenting and community engagement.
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Tailored mitigation and planting plans to reduce visual effects and integrate infrastructure into the surrounding environment.
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Expert negotiation and acquisition for offices, depots, and infrastructure-related commercial sites.
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End-to-end coordination of relocations and interior fit-outs to ensure minimal disruption and functional outcomes.
Our Track Record in the Electricity Sector
We partner with leading electricity distribution businesses (EDBs) and transmission providers across Aotearoa to deliver tailored planning, property, and environmental solutions.
From HVDC upgrades and greenfield substations to complex easement acquisitions and landscape assessments, our team has supported projects impacting core network infrastructure—spanning substations, transmission lines, zone designations, and stakeholder engagement.
With proven experience across clients such as Transpower, Top Energy, WEL Networks, Electra, Counties Energy, and more, we bring sector-specific knowledge, clarity, and confidence to every phase of project delivery.
Get in Touch
Let’s work together to create communities, places, and spaces built for the future.