Ann: DIRECTOR: CEN: Phil Pryke announces retirement from Contact...

• Release Date: 11/09/15 12:48
• Summary: DIRECTOR: CEN: Phil Pryke announces retirement from Contact Board
• Price Sensitive: No
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					CEN
11/09/2015 12:48
DIRECTOR
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1248 HRS Contact Energy Limited

DIRECTOR: CEN: Phil Pryke announces retirement from Contact Board

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

Friday 11 September 2015

Phil Pryke announces retirement from Contact Board

Following the announcement today that Sir Ralph Norris will be joining the
Board of Contact Energy Limited (Contact) as a new independent director and
if successfully elected by shareholders will be appointed as Chairman, Phil
Pryke has announced that he will be retiring from the Contact Board and not
seeking re-election at the Annual Meeting.

Phil has been involved with Contact since its establishment in 1995 and was
the Chairman of the Board until October 2004. Since then, Phil has been
Deputy Chairman and the lead independent director and was instrumental in
helping Contact prosper through its many challenges and opportunities. Phil
has guided Contact through its recent $2bn investment programme which
positions Contact well for the New Zealand energy market.

"It is with a great sense of pride, and, I'll admit, a tinge of sadness that
I have decided to retire from the Board of Contact and therefore not seek
re-election at the Annual Meeting," Phil said.

"In the 20 years I have been involved with Contact I have seen it develop and
grow from a collection of ECNZ assets to the strong integrated energy company
that it is today.

"As part of the process to find and appoint new directors and a Chairman, I
have spoken with investors - large and small - to gather their input on the
types of skills and expertise required to direct Contact in the future. While
a large part of me would like to continue on as a director now is the time
for Contact to benefit from different expertise and fresh perspectives.

"I am excited to be handing over the role of Chairman to Sir Ralph Norris,
who has the experience and expertise for the next stage in Contact's future.
During the next few months I will work with Board, Management and Sir Ralph
to assist in an orderly transition."

Dennis Barnes, CEO of Contact said, "I'd like to thank Phil on behalf of
Contact, his fellow Board members and our shareholders for his outstanding
contribution to Contact over the last 20 years. During my time as CEO, Phil
has provided me with invaluable guidance and advice and while he will no
longer be on our Board I hope that I can continue to draw on his unparalleled
experience in the New Zealand electricity market."

Mr Pryke will stand down from his role as Interim Chairman and Independent
Director at Contact Energy's Annual Meeting later this year.

Phil Pryke is currently a director of Contact Energy, a board member of
Goodman Group and a director of North Ridge Partners Pty Limited, Tru-Test
Corporation Limited, and Goodman (NZ) Limited.

ENDS

Investor enquiries: Fraser Gardiner 021 228 3688

Media enquiries: Nicholas Robinson 027 705 3831

About Contact
Contact is one of New Zealand's largest electricity generators and retailers.
We keep the lights burning, the hot water flowing and the BBQ fired up for
around 562,000 customer across the country.  Powering the country with
electricity, natural gas and LPG, our team of around 1,050 lives, works and
operates in communities throughout New Zealand.
End CA:00270021 For:CEN    Type:DIRECTOR   Time:2015-09-11 12:48:41