Rebstock leaving Commerce Commission, new chair announced

Commerce Commission chair Paula Rebstock is stepping down at the end of this month.

Commerce Commission chair Paula Rebstock is stepping down from the job at the end of this month.

Minister of Commerce Simon Power said the Government was "very keen for her to stay on" but she had told him that she wanted to pursue other interests in the private and public sectors.

She will leave on March 31, after 11 years at the Commission, more than five as chair.

Power, said he will recommend that Mark Berry be appointed as the new chair.

Berry, a barrister who was Deputy Commissioner between 1999 and 2001, will be appointed for a period of 18 months from April 1.

Power said the commission was fortunate to have someone as experienced as Berry immediately available for the position as the Commission undertakes new regulatory responsibilities following the passing of the Commerce Amendment Act late last year.

"Given that Ms Rebstock's warrant expires at the end of this month, we had to move quickly to ensure a new Chair is appointed to ensure the Commission has the stability it needs, and we are fortunate Mr Berry was available at such short notice," said Power.

Berry is described by Power as a "specialist in the area of competition law and economic regulation, and has acted in several leading merger and restrictive trade practice cases since the enactment of the Commerce Act."

"He brings valuable experience to the Commission's future work, both in relation to trade practices and in the area of regulation of natural monopolies," said Power.

"His agreement to fill this position for 18 months ensures the Commission has the stability it needs to go forward with its busy programme. This will enable the Ministry of Economic development to undertake a competitive recruitment process for the position of chair.

Power paid tribute to Rebstock's service as commission chair.

"Ms Rebstock has given 11 years of dedicated service, and I would particularly like to thank her for the focus and determination she brought to the role of chair since late 2003," said Power in a statement.

"Her skills and experience were instrumental in raising the effectiveness of the Commission.

"During that time she oversaw the development of the Commerce Commission from an enforcer of competition and consumer law to, among other things, a regulator responsible for key aspects of New Zealand's economic infrastructure."

Power said the Government was discussing with Rebstock how it might continue to use her skills and experience in other senior roles.

- HERALD ONLINE