A new structure for the Commerce Commission

The Government has introduced the Commerce (Commerce Commission Reform) Amendment Bill, which proposes a significant structural change to the Commerce Commission by separating its governance and regulatory functions. The new structure is intended to take effect from 1 July 2027.

The Bill follows an independent review led by Dame Paula Rebstock in 2025. The review found 14 opportunities for the Commerce Commission to strengthen its performance, including by improving its governance functions. The review found that Commissioners were generally appointed for their expertise in particular industries, competition law and economics, and not for governance experience.

What is changing?

Under the proposed reforms:

A new oversight board, largely made up of external directors, would be responsible for governance and strategy
Regulatory decisions would be delegated to specialist committees drawn from a panel of commissioners and external experts where necessary
The current Telecommunications and Grocery Commissioners roles would be phased out over time.

To support continuity during the transition:

Dr John Small will remain Chief Commissioner and Board Chair until the end of his term in 2030
Anne Callinan will serve as Deputy Chief Commissioner and a board member
Current commissioners will transition to panel member roles, with the telecommunications and grocery commissioners retaining their titles until their respective terms conclude.

Why it matters

The separation of governance and regulation is intended to:

Free commissioners to focus on high‑quality, timely regulatory decisions
Introduce a stronger “outside‑in” perspective at the governance level
Align the Commission more closely with international regulatory best practice, including the United Kingdom’s competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and
Improve clarity, efficiency and accountability as the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities continue to grow.

What happens next?

The Bill has been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, with public submissions closing on 28 April 2026.

If enacted, the new governance structure is intended to come into force from 1 July 2027, allowing time for transitional arrangements. During the transition period, existing leadership arrangements will remain in place to support continuity and stability, while the Commission prepares for the shift to the new operating model.

If you have any questions about the Commission’s new structure, or would like to make a submission on the Bill, please reach out to one of our experts below.