Body Established for NZ Post Network Access

Independent Body Established for New Zealand Post Network Access

New Zealand Post announced today the formation of an independent-majority committee to oversee arrangements for access to its nationwide mail network by other postal operators.

The new Postal Network Access Committee, which will have four independent members and one New Zealand Post representative, will hold its first meeting on 22 November 2010. It will operate initially as a four-member committee, with three independent members..

The Committee is chaired by Dr Arthur Grimes, who is chair of the Board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, chair of the Hugo Group, Adjunct Professor of Economics at Waikato University, and a Senior Fellow at Motu Research.

The other members are:

- Hon Barry Paterson, a retired High Court Judge, who chairs the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand, the New Zealand Press Council, Paymark Limited and the Independent Oversight Group monitoring the separation of Telecom.

- David Hunt, director of Concept Consulting and a former chief executive of Contact Energy.

- Mark Yeoman, Chief Financial Officer of New Zealand Post Group.

A fourth independent member is expected to be appointed shortly.

New Zealand Post Group Chief Executive Brian Roche said the Committee’s main purpose is to determine the terms and conditions for accessing New Zealand Post’s postal network, and to consider and resolve any operational disputes between New Zealand Post and its access customers.

As previously reported, New Zealand Post initiated a restructuring of its Network Access Committee in response to industry feedback on a revised access pricing framework proposed by New Zealand Post last year.

“The operators sought greater independence and transparency in network access decision-making, and we were happy to accommodate their request,” said Mr Roche.

ENDS

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