Speaker: Hon David Caygill, Chairman, Electricity Commission

The Electricity Commission regulates the operation of New Zealand’s electricity industry and markets (wholesale and retail) in accordance with the Electricity Act and government energy policy.
The Commission's principal objective, as set out in the Electricity Act, is to ensure that electricity is produced and delivered to all classes of consumers in an efficient, fair, reliable and environmentally sustainable manner. The Commission is also required to promote and facilitate the efficient use of electricity.
David is a former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament having served in the Lange and Palmer governments

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. David was appointed Deputy Chair of the Commerce Commission in December 2003 and is now an Associate Commissioner.

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.
He was appointed as Chair of the Electricity Commission on 15 October 2007.