About us
Ecogas is owned by Pioneer Energy Group, which is jointly owned by Central Lakes Trust (70%) and Tōtara Energy LP (30%). Together, they support renewable energy, strong communities, and a sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Board
Tony Balfour
Chairman
Tony has extensive global experience in a diverse range of roles, industries and geographies. His executive experience includes senior roles at Nike (Managing Director Australia; General Manager – Asia), Lion Nathan (Marketing Director), Icebreaker (General Manager) and Seek.com in NZ, Australia and USA. He has deep expertise in Consumer and Market Development, New Product Development, Digital Innovation and Talent/Organisation development.
Tony has been a director on many of NZ leading Boards including: Silver Fern Farms, The Warehouse Group, Methven Industries, Mt Difficulty Wines, Blis Technologies, Bluelab Ltd, and Boosted.com. Currently, as well as Pioneer and Ecogas he is an independent director on the Boards of Realnz Tourism and Agnition Ventures (A Ravensdown company). He Chairs Ecogas Limited and the Pioneer Remuneration Committee.
Tony also coaches a number of NZ CEOs and advises multiple companies on strategy. He has written two popular books on governance: “A Word in Your Ear – a Field Guide for Virgin Directors” and “The Maverick Manifesto – 37 Tips to Improve your Boardroom Impact”.
Karen Titulaer
Karen has worked internationally in strategy, partnership, sustainability and risk roles. Working for the Royal Bank of Scotland during the global financial crisis highlighted for Karen the link between long-term business viability and sustainable decision making.
While leading the Legal, Risk and Sustainability teams at Villa Maria Estate Ltd, Karen chaired the Glass Packaging Forum Committee. From there she developed a passion for the role of product stewardship in a circular economy. Karen now chairs the Paint Product Stewardship Working Group and is strategic adviser to EcoStock Supplies Limited among other circular economy focused organisations.
Grant Smith
Grant is an energy market advisor, specialising in commercial and electricity market developments with an emphasis on clean energy and carbon emissions management.
His experience in the electricity industry covers most parts of the value chain. His specific skillsets are combining innovative change concepts with the more practical and pragmatic business planning disciplines.
Grant has provided commercial guidance to Ecogas Limited Partnership through the initial Limited Partnership set-up and technology due diligence processes as well as supporting the preparation of the investment business cases, market and funding proposals resulting in securing government regional development loans for Reporoa Project.
He continues to provide commercial and market contracting oversight to Ecogas Limited Partnership in his role as board member.
Paul Ware
Paul is a chemical engineer and has been involved with the energy industry for 22 years. He is currently the chair of Rotokawa Joint Venture and a director for Tauhara North No2 Trust financial arm. Paul is also the managing director of an industrial electrical and automation business in the Waikato.
In past roles he has led engineering and project teams in diverse range of large industrial organisations, led a large geothermal operations and maintenance team with multiple sites, and led the development of two large geothermal power stations. He lives in Cambridge.
Andy Bedford
General Manager Operations - Ecogas
Andy spent 10 years as an Infantry Officer in the New Zealand Army. During this time, he developed an in depth understanding on operational management, team culture and leadership. He left the Army in 2019 and has since worked at a national level in Operations in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Andy is responsible for the Ecogas and Fertify businesses in the North Island. His focus will be streamlining our operations, looking for business development pathways and developing the wider team. Andy is based locally in Kinloch and has strong links to the local community around Taupo.
Dr Alzbeta Bouskova Houghton
Chief Technical Officer
As an expert in anaerobic digestion and resource recovery from organic residues, Alzbeta has a wide understanding of the environmental landscape both here in New Zealand and on a world stage. Her professional experience of 15 years in design and optimisation of waste-to-energy and wastewater treatment plants is underpinned by a notable academic background at world-leading universities. Alzbeta holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.
Alzbeta has been at the forefront of the bioenergy industry in New Zealand over the last 10 years through her involvement in the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ).
Alzbeta brings a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for sustainability and bioenergy to the role of Chief Technical Officer.
Sam McArthur
Operations Manager, Christchurch
Sam is the Operations Manager at Ecogas’ Ōtautahi Christchurch Organics Processing Facility. He brings a wealth of experience across mechanical engineering, renewables, manufacturing, hydro generation, and international project delivery, along with a strong interest in sustainable energy solutions.
Sam is particularly passionate about the role of commercial-scale anaerobic digestion in generating practical, renewable energy, and is focused on driving operational excellence at the Christchurch facility.
Our vision is to close the food and energy loop for a sustainable future
