GIC, owned by New Zealand gas industry participants, was established last year to make recommendations to the government on matters affecting the governance of the gas sector, including rules and regulations on the wholesaling, retailing, processing, transmission and distribution of gas.

Southey said her initial focus would be to complete the establishment of GIC as a stand-alone entity and to develop its work program to address the requirements of the government’s policy statement on gas governance. The emphasis would be on industry-led solutions to the government’s required outcomes.

Before joining the Electricity Commission, Southey was a partner in a national law firm and had a variety of senior roles in the energy sector, including work on a number of significant industry reform initiatives, according to GIC chairman and former NZ Prime Minister Jim Bolger.

“GIC is delighted to announce the appointment of Christine Southey as the GIC’s chief executive. Christine brings significant hands-on experience of both self-regulatory and regulatory models," Bolger said.

"She has a strong understanding of the regulatory and commercial issues in the energy sector and a proven ability to contribute to the development and implementation of corporate strategies, industry agreements and regulatory policy.”

The GIC board includes such energy chiefs as Contact Energy boss Steve Barrett, Vector head Mark Franklin and Swift Energy New Zealand chairman Don Morgan.