The trust exists to represent the interests of about 13,000 households and businesses which both own and are connected to local powerlines operating company Network Waitaki Limited.
Waitaki Power Trust owns the shares on behalf of Waitaki consumers.
Trust chairwoman Doreen Cleave said the proposed deed changes included adding to and changing definitions in the deed.
"The changes have been proposed because the way data is being held now, it just makes it far more cost-effective to do it this way.
"What we’re changing is instead of a consumer being Mr and Mrs Smith, the consumer becomes the installation control point which is a unit number. So every dwelling has one vote. Some organisations, such as the council, might have well over 100 meters.
"So to ensure that there’s no bias, as in they can get 100 votes, only one consumer, which is the customer, every customer is actually only entitled to one vote as well."
The trust had received advice that the proposed changes would simplify the eligibility criteria for voters, avoiding potential disputes around eligibility and removing the potential for double voting.
As a result of the proposal those jointly responsible as end customers for the payment of line charges would be treated as one consumer.
At the same time, the trust was required to undertake an ownership review as to whether any or all of the company shares are retained by the trustees.
It was proposed to clarify the ownership review be held at 10-yearly intervals and to remove the option of a five-yearly review.
According to the trust’s website, this would better align a long term view for investment and community return with the long life cycle of power infrastructure projects.
Submissions closed on Friday at 5pm.
