Commerce Minister Margaret Wilson said Hemmingway’s appointment, as an associate commerce commission member, would strengthen the relationship between the two commissions, particularly in respect of regulatory oversight of national grid owner-operator Transpower and electricity lines businesses.

“Having Roy Hemmingway appointed to the Commerce Commission will ensure the combined impacts of regulation on electricity lines businesses are taken into account and compliance costs for business are minimised,” Wilson said.

Hemmingway, before taking up the electricity commission appointment last September, chaired the Public Utility Commission in Oregon, where he was involved in national and state efforts to create competitive markets for electricity.