Members

The Electricity Commission is governed by a full-time chair and five other members appointed by the Minister of Energy. Members have been appointed on the basis of their extensive knowledge of, or experience in, the electricity industry, electricity markets, regulatory processes and public policy. Members hold office for a term not exceeding three years and may be reappointed. They normally meet twice a month but can meet at short notice if required.

David Caygill, Chair

Hon David Caygill is a former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament (MP). He graduated B.A., LL.B (Hons) from the University of Canterbury. He served three terms on the Christchurch City Council and as an MP for 18 years. During the Lange and Palmer governments he was Minister of Trade and Industry (1984-88), Minister of Health (1987-88), and Minister of Finance (1989-90). Following his retirement from politics he returned to his former profession as a lawyer, becoming a partner in Buddle Findlay, specialising in public law. In December 2003, David was appointed Deputy Chair of the Commerce Commission.

His governance experience includes chairing the Grid Security Committee, the Electricity Governance Establishment Group, and the ACC. In 2000 he chaired the Ministerial Inquiry into the Electricity Industry. He also chairs the Education New Zealand Trust and the Advisory Committee on Official Statistics. As Chair of the Electricity Commission, David has also been appointed as an Associate Member of the Commerce Commission, and a Board Member of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. David lives in Christchurch.

Peter Harris BCom(Hons)

Peter Harris BCom(Hons) is an economist and has an extensive background in research, analysis, and advocacy. He is a former academic and trade-union economist and has been a member of several government advisory boards. He was a director of PSIS Ltd, chair of the Savings Product Working Group (that designed the architecture for what became the Kiwisaver scheme) and a former economic adviser to the Finance Minister, the Hon. Dr Michael Cullen.

Peter was an inaugural member of the Electricity Commission. He has chaired its Security Advisory Group, its Audit and Risk Management Committee, and its Electricity Governance Rules Committee. He acted as Chair of the Commission for just over a year between the end of the tenure of the previous Chair and the appointment of David Caygill as his replacement.  Peter lives in Wellington.

Linda Constable

Linda Constable is a professional director. She was Chair of the electricity lines company Orion for seven years until retiring from the Board in 2006. Her current directorships are with KiwiRail, the Christchurch Arts Festival Trust, and Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation (Director of the Holdings Company and Ngai Tahu Fisheries, Ngai Tahu Tourism, and Chair of Ngai Tahu Property). Linda lives in North Canterbury.

Richard Bentley CNZM

Richard Bentley CNZM is a Wellington-based company director and management consultant. Previous positions include management roles in Fletcher Challenge, and for 12 years to 2001 he was CEO of the Natural Gas Corporation. He has served on a number of boards including the Natural Gas Corporation to 2005, and as Chairman of listed farmer-owned Wool Equities Limited, CRI Crop and Food research, sheep and beef genetics company Rissington Breedline Limited and the Carter Observatory.  He is currently Chairman of the Karori Sanctuary Trust, and Senior Advisor, Strategic Management Services with Opus International Limited.  Richard is a professionally qualified civil engineer and has a Masters degree in Economics. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the NZ Institution of Professional Engineers, and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. Richard lives in Wellington.

David Bull

David Bull has 21 years experience as a power system engineer with ECNZ and its predecessor organisation. He was a Wellington City Councillor or Regional Councillor for 15 years, followed by five years as General Manager Local Government and Community in the Department of Internal Affairs. David’s governance experience includes chairing numerous city and regional council committees, and as a member of Wellington Polytechnic Council, Wellington International Airport Limited Board, and the NZ Fire Service Commission. David lives in Martinborough.

Roger Sowry

Hon. Roger Sowry is a former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament from 1990 – 2005. He was the Chief Whip (1994 – 1996), Chairman of the Health Select Committee (1993 – 1996), Minister of Social Welfare (1996 – 1999), Associate Minister of Health (1996 – 1998) and Leader of the House (1998 – 1999). In 1999 Roger was opposition spokesman for Transport, and went on to serve as Deputy Leader of the National Party and spokesman for Energy and Labour Relations.

Following his retirement from Parliament in 2005, Roger became Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand and continued to represent the opposition parties on the Electoral Commission redrawing the electoral boundaries. Roger is a Government Relations Consultant for Saunders Unsworth and is a member of the Institute of Directors. Roger lives on the Kapiti Coast.