Todd Corporation
Part One: Registry of Organisational Details
1. Business / Trading Name:
The Todd Corporation Limited (trading as “Todd Corporation”) – Privately-held New Zealand conglomerate owned by the Todd family.
2. Company Number:
3491 (NZ Companies Office registration number).
3. NZBN:
9429040968667 (New Zealand Business Number).
4. Entity Type:
NZ Limited Company (Ltd) – Registered company under the Companies Act.
5. Business Classification:
ANZSIC K624030 – Holding Company Operation (Passive Investment in Subsidiaries).
Classified as a non-operating holding company managing investments in its subsidiary companies.
6. Industry Category:
Conglomerate (Family-Owned Diversified Business) – Interests span energy (oil, gas, electricity), property, minerals, healthcare, technology and more.
7. Year Founded:
1884 – Originating as a fellmongery and wool-scouring business in Otago founded by Charles Todd Sr.. Incorporated as Todd Bros. Limited in 1919.
8. Addresses:
Registered Office: Level 15, The Todd Building, 95 Customhouse Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3142, Wellington 6142, New Zealand.
Records Address: “Lyttelton Avenue Extension”, Elsdon, Porirua, New Zealand (location where corporate records are kept).
9. Website URL:
www.toddcorporation.com – Official website of The Todd Corporation.
10. LinkedIn URL:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/todd-corporation – LinkedIn company page (lists ~113 employees on LinkedIn, Wellington HQ, privately held).
11. Company Hub NZ URL:
https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429040968667 – CompanyHub directory listing (company number 3491, NZBN 9429040968667).
12. NZ Companies Office URL:
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/3491 – NZ Companies Office registry entry for The Todd Corporation Limited.
13. Social Media URLs:
Data Not Found. (No official Twitter, Facebook, or other public social media profiles identified for Todd Corporation itself.)
14. Ultimate Holding Company:
None (Ultimate Parent). The Todd Corporation is the ultimate holding entity of the Todd family’s business interests. (All major Todd subsidiaries ultimately trace ownership to The Todd Corporation.)
Todd family members and trusts – 100% privately held by approximately 51 shareholders across ~20 family trusts/entities. Major share parcels are held by Todd family trusts (e.g. Heriot Trustees Ltd, Fric Corporation Ltd) and individual descendants of founder Charles Todd. The Todd family collectively controls ~80%+ of the shares (with no outside institutional shareholders).
16. Leadership:
Chairman: Nick Olson – Independent director, appointed 2022 (former Group CFO, became Chair).
Group CEO: Evan Davies – Appointed 2018, leads Todd’s executive team (former SkyCity CEO and Todd Property head).
Board Directors: Sir Bill English (Independent Director; former NZ Prime Minister) ; David Flacks (Independent; lawyer and ex-NZX regulator) ; Peter Ballis (Independent) ; Michael Burtscher, Tom Whyte, Rebecca Turner (Family-appointed directors).
(Leadership roles as of 2024)
17. Staff:
Approximately 800 employees worldwide (across 10 locations in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada). Core staff are in its energy, investments, and corporate divisions.
Staff Count: ~800 (as of 2019) ; LinkedIn indicates 501–1000 employees range.
18. Staff with Previous Government Roles:
Sir Bill English – Former Prime Minister & Minister of Finance (2008–2017), joined Todd Corp’s Board as a director in May 2021.
No other senior Todd executives with ministerial roles identified. (However, Todd’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and other staff regularly engage with government officials, see Part Two.)
19. Past Employees:
Jon Young – Former Group CEO of Todd Corporation (led the company’s “corporate arm” until late 2022). Quietly exited amid restructuring.
Henry Tait – Longtime Todd executive and former Chairman (stepped down in 2022). Known for also co-owning the Wellington Phoenix football club.
Paul Moore – Former senior executive (departed 2022 as part of corporate reset).
Other notable past figures: Sir John Todd (patriarch and long-time chairman, deceased 2015); Mike Todd (family executive, retired); Joanna Breare (former CEO of Todd Energy, left circa 2020).
20. Clients:
Data Not Found. (Todd Corporation is a conglomerate holding company, not a consultancy – it sells products via subsidiaries like Nova Energy and Todd Energy rather than servicing external “clients” in a lobbying sense.)
21. Industries / Sectors Represented:
Oil & Gas – Hydrocarbon exploration and production (through Todd Energy).
Electricity Generation & Retail – Power generation and energy retailing (Nova Energy).
Minerals & Mining – Investments in mineral extraction (e.g. past iron sands, iron ore ventures).
Property Development – (Historically through Todd Property; real estate projects in NZ).
Healthcare – Owns Integria Healthcare (natural health products).
Technology & Investments – Venture capital and technology investments via Todd Capital.
Telecommunications (historic) – Previously held major stakes in telecom companies (e.g. Clear Communications, 2Degrees).
(Todd is a diversified conglomerate spanning primary energy to high-tech.)
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements:
Policy Submissions: Todd Corp regularly files submissions on government policy: e.g. a 2020 submission on NZ’s Hydrogen Strategy Green Paper ; feedback on MBIE’s “Accelerating Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency” discussion document ; a joint submission (with Nova Energy) on gas market settings in 2021 ; and a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Low-Emissions Economy inquiry (2018). These formal submissions (available on MBIE, Treasury, etc. websites) reveal Todd advocating for its interests (such as arguing the Emissions Trading Scheme settings and energy policies should accommodate ongoing natural gas use).
Select Committee Appearances: (No specific data found, but likely – Data Not Found in public records regarding Todd appearing before parliamentary committees. Any such appearances would be in the name of its subsidiaries e.g. Todd Energy or via industry bodies.)
Ministerial Meetings: Todd representatives have met ministers behind closed doors. For example, in October 2024 the Climate Change Minister’s diary records a meeting (via video conference) with Todd Corp’s CEO Evan Davies and Corporate Affairs Officer Amy McKenzie regarding emissions policy. Similarly, the Revenue Minister’s diary shows Todd participating in a Corporate Taxpayers Group delegation meeting in 2024 (Todd being a member of that group – see Affiliations). These meetings are proactively released in ministerial diaries but not otherwise publicly disclosed by Todd.
Official Information Act (OIA) Disclosures: Occasionally, OIA requests have uncovered Todd Corp’s communications with officials. (For instance, Treasury OIA releases identify Todd Corp as a stakeholder consulted on tax policy via the Corporate Taxpayers Group.) Such engagements are typically revealed only through OIA or statutory transparency, not by Todd voluntarily.
Public Commitments: Todd Corp does publicize its membership in government initiatives like climate change consultations (notably, it has referenced supporting industry-wide positions – e.g. endorsing industry association submissions on climate regulation). However, specific lobbying meetings or correspondence are generally not public.
(Overall, Todd’s policy engagement is mostly behind closed doors, with sparse public records except required submissions or diary disclosures.)
23. Affiliations:
Corporate Taxpayers Group (CTG): Todd Corp is a core member of this powerful lobby group of large companies. CTG is an unincorporated coalition of ~50 major NZ corporations (banks, energy companies, etc.) that advocates on tax and fiscal policy. Todd’s membership (listed as #31 in CTG’s member list) ties it into collective lobbying for lower corporate taxes and against measures like capital gains or windfall taxes. CTG often operates out of public view (making submissions to Inland Revenue or Treasury as a group).
Energy Resources Aotearoa (formerly PEPANZ): Todd’s energy arm is a member of NZ’s oil and gas industry association. A senior Todd Energy executive (Mark Macfarlane) currently chairs the board of this lobby group, indicating deep involvement. Through ERA, Todd influences energy and resource policy alongside peers like OMV and ExxonMobil.
BusinessNZ and Chambers of Commerce: (Likely affiliations – data not explicitly found). As one of NZ’s largest firms, Todd is presumably connected to BusinessNZ (the main business lobby confederation) either directly or via industry subsections (e.g. BusinessNZ Energy Council). It may also be a member of local business chambers (Wellington Chamber etc.), though not publicly listed.
NZ Petroleum Conference / OGNZ Forum: Todd participates in industry conferences and forums shaping oil & gas policy (often via Todd Energy).
New Zealand Initiative or Other Think-Tanks: No evidence found of formal membership, though the Todd Foundation has supported policy research indirectly.
(Todd’s key affiliations are with industry and corporate lobby groups that amplify its influence, especially on tax and energy regulation.)
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:
NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composers Awards: Todd Corp is the title sponsor of the NZ Symphony Orchestra’s annual young composers competition (a collaboration running ~20 years). This high-profile arts sponsorship (branded with Todd’s name) reflects the family’s patronage in arts and music.
Auckland Arts Festival – Whānui Programme (2018): Todd Corp sponsored the community arts “Whānui” series at the 2018 Auckland Arts Festival, underscoring its support for cultural initiatives. It has also funded productions at the New Zealand International Arts Festival.
Victoria University/Todd Foundation Awards: Through the Todd Foundation (related charitable trust), the Todd family funds awards in science and music (e.g. Todd Foundation Science Awards). (While the foundation is separate, it is funded by Todd Corp dividends.)
Industry Collaborations: Todd often partners within industry – e.g. Nova Energy partnering with 2Degrees to bundle mobile services. In minerals, Todd worked with Aussie partners on mining (Balla Balla iron ore project, WA). These are business collaborations rather than public-interest sponsorships.
(Sponsorships tend to be philanthropic/cultural, helping burnish Todd’s public image, while collaborations are typically commercial joint ventures.)
25. Events (Organised by Organisation):
Data Not Found. (Todd Corp does not publicly host events beyond private corporate functions. It generally operates behind the scenes. Notably, in 2019 Todd held an unusual media-invited Christmas function to discuss investment plans – a rare public-facing event for the normally media-shy company. Aside from such isolated instances, Todd does not run public conferences or events under its banner.)
26. Political Donations:
Significant corporate donor to major parties: Todd Corporation has a history of donating large sums to New Zealand’s major political parties, often evenly to both sides. In 2011 it gave NZ$50,000 each to the National Party and the Labour Party (promptly disclosed under electoral law). A Todd spokesman described this as a “balanced approach” to contribute to democracy. The same year, Todd offered the Green Party a smaller $5,000 donation, which the Greens rejected on ethical grounds due to Todd’s fossil fuel interests.
Ongoing bipartisan giving: Todd (and the Todd family) continued donating in subsequent elections. It has been noted as one of a set of corporates that regularly give equally to National and Labour, presumably to maintain influence regardless of which party is in power.
2020 election: Then-chairman Henry Tait (as an individual) donated $15,450 to the National Party. (This was disclosed as part of National’s 2020 donations – an example of Todd’s principals contributing in a personal capacity). Labour’s records for 2020 do not show an equivalent Todd donation, suggesting possibly only National received a Todd-linked contribution that year (amid a change in ownership focus).
No known donations to minor parties recently: Todd’s attempt to fund the Greens was rebuffed, and no recent public records show donations to ACT, NZ First or others from the company. (Todd may prefer influencing policy through centrist major parties and non-partisan avenues.)
(Overall, Todd Corp has been a notable political donor, channeling money into both major parties – a practice seen as buying access or goodwill. Its donations are transparently reported only when above legal thresholds, so smaller contributions or indirect donations might fly under the radar.)
27. Controversies:
Environmental Impact – Top Greenhouse Gas Emitter: Todd Corporation is one of New Zealand’s largest climate polluters, thanks to its oil, gas and coal-linked operations. The EPA’s data (2021) listed Todd among the six worst-emitting companies in the country (alongside Fonterra and major fuel companies). Greenpeace noted Todd Corp (combined with its Nova and Todd Energy emissions) was NZ’s #6 biggest climate polluter in 2021. This exposes Todd to criticism for contributing heavily to climate change while promoting its “sustainable” image.
Fossil Fuel Expansion vs Climate Goals: In 2023, Todd’s energy subsidiary Nova Energy sought consents to build a new gas-fired power plant in Southland, sparking public outcry. The Green Party called on the government to “call in” (review) this project, citing conflict with climate targets. Todd’s pursuit of new fossil fuel infrastructure amid a climate crisis has been condemned by environmental groups as irresponsible.
Political Donation Ethics: Todd’s political donations have raised concerns. The Green Party’s high-profile refusal of Todd’s $5k offer in 2011 (calling it contrary to Green values) cast a spotlight on Todd’s attempt to influence politics with money. Some commentators cite Todd (and similar firms) as examples of “chequebook influence” in NZ politics. While legal, the practice of equally funding major parties is seen by critics as hedging bets to ensure whichever government is in power is favorable to Todd’s interests.
Lack of Transparency in Lobbying: Todd’s behind-the-scenes lobbying (through industry groups and private meetings) has drawn scrutiny from transparency advocates. As there is no public lobbying register, Todd’s influence often goes under-disclosed – a form of “invisible” lobbying that journalists and academics (like Dr. Bryce Edwards) have criticized in principle. This profile itself exists because Todd’s lobbying activities are not officially registered or disclosed.
Business Failures & Governance Issues: In the late 2010s, Todd embarked on risky international projects that turned sour. It invested heavily in a $5.9 billion Western Australia iron ore venture (Balla Balla/Flinders Mines) which collapsed amid disputes. Minority shareholders in Australia revolted against Todd’s management in 2019, narrowly failing to spill the board after accusing Todd of neglecting their interests. Todd had to write off large investments. By 2022, the company publicly admitted these overseas projects were “failures” and shifted focus back to NZ. The episode was embarrassing and led to a governance shake-up (CEO and executives departing, dividend suspension). It revealed internal strategic missteps at odds with Todd’s carefully managed reputation.
Safety and Regulatory Breaches: Todd’s operational subsidiaries have hit safety issues. In late 2022, Todd Energy’s Kapuni gas plant in Taranaki was forced to shut down for weeks due to serious safety concerns and outdated equipment. This unexpected closure threatened CO₂ supply for hospitals and industries, highlighting potential regulatory compliance lapses. It drew media attention and put pressure on Todd to address aging infrastructure safely.
Community Relations: Todd’s resource projects have sometimes strained community relations – for instance, opposition from Māori iwi and local communities to drilling proposals (e.g. protests in Taranaki over Todd Energy’s fracking activities in the 2010s). Additionally, Todd’s past mining exploration in conservation-sensitive areas (like ironsands on the West Coast, and the controversial Kaipara Harbour tidal power project via Crest Energy ) have been contentious. Such projects often face backlash for environmental reasons, placing Todd at the center of local controversies (though these generally stay low-profile).
“Integrity-Washing” Concerns: Critics point out that Todd Corporation projects an image of corporate responsibility – publishing sustainability reports and funding community causes – yet simultaneously engages in aggressive lobbying and profit-driven decisions that undercut public interest (e.g. lobbying to water down emissions regulations while branding itself as green). This gap between public messaging and behind-doors action has been noted by commentators as a credibility issue for Todd.
28. Other Information of Note:
Todd Family Wealth and Influence: The Todd family is often cited as New Zealand’s wealthiest family, with a net worth in the billions. The National Business Review rich list has consistently ranked the Todd family at or near #1. By 2019, The Todd Corporation’s equity was estimated at NZ$4.3 billion. Forbes once dubbed Sir John Todd NZ’s first billionaire. The family’s wealth and low-key profile (“a byword for wealth and discretion” ) have made them a subject of fascination. Despite their riches, the Todds generally avoid the spotlight – preferring to influence from behind the scenes. This private wealth fuels Todd Corp’s lobbying war chest and long-term patience in pursuing influence.
Todd Foundation (Philanthropy): Established in 1972 by the family, the Todd Foundation has granted millions to social and community causes. While technically separate from Todd Corp, it is funded by company dividends. The philanthropy helps offset some criticism of the family’s business practices, effectively bolstering the family’s public standing (often termed “social licence”). For example, the Foundation supports education, arts, and environmental initiatives, which Todd Corp can point to as evidence of positive impact even as its core businesses face environmental criticism.
International Ventures: Todd Corp’s investments extend overseas. Apart from the failed Australian mining venture, Todd had stakes in American oil and gas (e.g. Todd Energy International invested in Canada and the US). It also briefly owned an 11% stake in Sky TV (NZ’s pay-TV broadcaster) until 2020, when it sold out. Todd’s past telecom forays included owning 25% of Clear Communications and funding 2Degrees’ launch. These international and cross-sector expansions show Todd’s broad influence beyond just oil and gas. However, they also have led to complex conflicts of interest – for instance, owning media shares while being a major political player could raise eyebrows (though Todd’s Sky TV stake was largely viewed as an investment, it still signified influence in media economics).
Revolving Door & Influence Networks: The appointment of Sir Bill English to the board is a prime example of the revolving door between government and big business. It indicates Todd’s strategy of embedding political experience at governance level. Additionally, Todd’s longtime government relations advisor is Sir Maarten Wevers (former top civil servant) – illustrating how the company taps into Wellington’s networks quietly (source: public appointments records). These connections aren’t widely advertised but are known in Wellington circles.
Opacity and Family Control: As a 100% family-owned enterprise, Todd Corp has no obligation to publish detailed financials or shareholder reports publicly. This opacity has been noted as an issue – important decisions and financial flows happen out of public sight. For example, when the company suspended dividends in 2024 to conserve cash, it was a rare glimpse into internal troubles. The lack of public reporting requirements (unlike a listed company) means less scrutiny, enabling Todd to operate with minimal accountability except to its family shareholders. This structural opacity is a notable aspect when assessing its influence – Todd can channel funds (for lobbying, donations, etc.) without external stakeholder interference or disclosure.
Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Data Not Found. (No record of The Todd Corporation itself claiming the 2020 COVID-19 wage subsidy was found in official disclosures. It appears Todd Corp and its major units did not take the government wage subsidy, likely to avoid public backlash given the company’s strong balance sheet. Some smaller Todd investees may have, but not the corporation or its primary subsidiaries – Nova Energy even boasted it did not need the subsidy, per industry reports.)
Sources:
[1] Todd Corporation – Wikipedia Entry, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Corporation
[2] The Todd Corporation Limited – Companies Office Extract, New Zealand Companies Office, https://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/3491
[3] The Todd Corporation Limited – Business Information, BizDb (NZ), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429040968667/
[4] The Todd Corporation Limited – Company Profile, BusinessCheck (NZ), https://www.businesscheck.co.nz/ltd/9429040968667/
[5] Enterprise & Energy – Todd Corporation (About Us), Todd Corporation Website, https://toddcorporation.com/ (accessed 2025)
[6] Board of Directors – Todd Corporation, Todd Corporation Website, https://toddcorporation.com/our-people/board-of-directors/
[7] LinkedIn – Todd Corporation, LinkedIn Company Page, https://www.linkedin.com/company/todd-corporation
[8] Corporate Taxpayers Group (CTG) – Membership List, The Treasury NZ (OIA release), https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-05/pc-inq-bssp-sub-206-corporate-taxpayers-group.pdf
[9] Greens reject Todd donation, Otago Daily Times, https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/greens-reject-todd-donation
[10] Political parties’ donations released, Radio New Zealand News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/104896/political-parties’-donations-released
[11] National received nearly $3m in large political donations in 2020 – nearly double Labour, NZ Herald, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-received-nearly-3m-in-large-political-donations-in-2020-nearly-double-labour/SYV3VUWSG2UOAHTKYFPFHFXBIQ/
[12] Todd Corporation: the reset, BusinessDesk (Pattrick Smellie), NZ Herald Premium, 13 Dec 2024 (summary via NZ Herald), (subscription)
[13] Todd Corporation: what went wrong?, BusinessDesk (Pattrick Smellie), 12 Dec 2024, (subscription)
[14] Warning served on Todd Corp in WA board spill drama, BusinessDesk via NZ Herald, 26 Nov 2019, (subscription)
[15] Safety problems shut Todd Energy Kapuni plant for past fortnight, RNZ News, 9 Jan 2023, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/482098/safety-problems-shut-todd-energy-kapuni-plant-for-past-fortnight
[16] Revealed: New Zealand’s worst climate polluters, Newsroom, 8 Nov 2021, (analysis via Twitter)
[17] New Zealand’s biggest climate polluters (EPA data), Greenpeace Community Platform, https://community.greenpeace.org.nz (2022)
[18] Greens call on Minister to call in new polluting power plant, Scoop News, 14 April 2023, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2304/S00035.htm
[19] NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Awards celebrates 20th year, NZ Symphony Orchestra, https://www.nzso.co.nz/ (2024 press release)
[20] Whānui – Auckland Arts Festival brings communities together, Auckland Arts Festival 2018 release, via archive, http://2018.aaf.co.nz (sponsored by Todd Corporation)
[21] Our progress towards a more sustainable future (Todd 2021 SD Report), Todd Corporation, 2022, (PDF) toddcorporation.com (sustainability report)
[22] Why New Zealand can’t have a fairer tax system, Bryce Edwards, The Democracy Project (Substack), 2023, (analysis)
[23] Members of Corporate Taxpayers Group and lobbying influence, IRD Tax Policy Consultation 2021, taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz (CTG submission appendices)
[24] Sir Bill English joins Todd Corporation board, BusinessDesk, 2 June 2021, https://businessdesk.co.nz (staff reporters)
[25] Energy Resources Aotearoa – Our Members & Board, ERA (formerly PEPANZ) Website, https://www.energyresources.org.nz/about/members (Todd Energy membership, Mark Macfarlane chair)
[26] Ministerial Diary – Hon. Simon Watts (Oct 2024), NZ Beehive (Minister for Climate) – Proactive Release, https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-11/Hon%20Simon%20Watts%20Ministerial%20Diary%20Summary%20-%20October%202024.pdf (Meetings with Todd Corp)
[27] Todd puts energy into shakeup, New Zealand Herald, 30 Jun 2000, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/todd-puts-energy-into-shakeup/PEPBA4KR3VIHCG5SPBAWIYDFTQ/ (Todd Capital formation, investments)
[28] Company Hub NZ – Todd Corporation Limited, CompanyHub.nz, (company summary) https://www.companyhub.nz (NZBN 9429040968667)
[29] Todd family – richest family profile, NBR Rich List 2020, NBR, (summary)
[30] Supreme Court agrees to hear climate case, Newsroom, 4 Apr 2022, https://www.newsroom.co.nz/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-climate-case (mentions EPA top emitters list)
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz