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

David is a former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament.  He graduated B.A., LL.B (Hons) from the University of Canterbury.  At age 22 he was elected to the Christchurch City Council where he served for three terms (1971-80).  In 1978 he was elected to Parliament for St Albans in Christchurch.  He served as an MP for 18 years (1978-96).  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).

From 1993-96 David served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.  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.

Peter Harris BCom(Hons)

Peter Harris 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 has also been involved in national and international industry and economic development projects.  He was a director of PSIS Ltd, chair of the Savings Product Working Group and a former economic adviser to the Finance Minister, the Hon. Dr Michael Cullen.  Mr Harris lives in Wellington.

Stan Rodger

Hon. Stan Rodger is a former public servant, member of parliament, cabinet minister, and university administrator.  He has been involved in public and private sector governance roles and participated in several administrative reviews.  He is a former director and deputy chairman of the national grid company, Transpower.  He is a director of New Zealand Post Limited.  Mr Rodger lives in Dunedin.

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 ONTRACK (NZ Railways Corporation) and Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation (Director of the Holdings Company and Ngai Tahu Fisheries, Ngai Tahu Tourism, and Chair of Ngai Tahu Property). She was a Christchurch City Councillor for nine years from 1986 to 1995.

Richard Bentley CNZM

Richard Bentley 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 – many as Chairman, including Chairman of listed farmer owned Wool Equities Limited from 2003 to 2007, and Chairman of CRI Crop and Food research for most of two terms to December 2007. He is currently Chairman of sheep and beef genetics company Rissington Breedline Limited, Chairman of the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chairman of the Carter Observatory.  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. 

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. Commissioner Bull lives in Martinborough.