Economist to lead commerce watchdog

The Government has appointed

Dr John Small, an economist and academic with a business background, as the new chairperson of the Commerce Commission. Small has been an associate member and member of the commission since 2018, and was involved in the watchdog’s three market studies – into fuel, grocery and residential building supplies. ‘‘His career has also included work as an academic, adviser on policy and regulatory reviews, lay member of the High Court, and now as a regulator,’’ Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark said. The Government granted the Commerce Commission powers to set fair petrol prices, if needed, earlier this month. Small will take over from outgoing chairperson Anna Rawlings on December 5. Clark said Rawlings had led the commission through significant change during her tenure, including increases to the agency’s span of responsibilities and size. Rawlings continues as an associate member to work on competition and consumer protection matters under the Commerce Act, the Fair Trading Act and the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, he said.