We know that a diverse workplace leads to innovation, drives better decisions and enhances the experience our people have working here. Our environment is inclusive, and our people know they are free to be their authentic selves at work. Any support needed is freely given, providing the opportunity for everyone to thrive.
Here's what they have to say
I joined the Commission in November 2020 as Economics student intern. This is an internship programme that you enter by Lecturer nomination. I started out in the Competition Branch and worked on research projects on competition in digital markets, anti-competitive practices, mergers, and the groceries market study. All really important areas that impact many New Zealand consumers. My study was directly relevant to the economic regulation work that goes on at the Commission and I particularly like the strategic thinking about how markets operate and the value that is placed on economics. I continued to work at the Commission while completing my study and I am now a full-time Economist.
One of the things I enjoy most about working here is the people. They take the time to get to know you and are genuinely interested in what's going on in my life. There's a culture of colleagues and managers being receptive to new ideas, and I was encouraged to take on responsibility from the get-go. I feel like I can contribute to important decisions and there is real opportunity for development here.
My background is a little unusual, I was a hairdresser until my late 20's. I had some lightbulb moments that led me to where I am now. The first of those moments saw me move into a role at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman's office in Australia where I thrived on being able to make a difference for people. I found I was drawn to listening to complaints and enjoyed offering advice that helped.
After eight years in Australia, with a second child on the way, my family and I came home to New Zealand. I applied for a role as an Assistant Investigator at the Commission and that's where my journey here began. I discovered the job really suited me and I enjoy the interpersonal engagement side of the role, working closely with traders. Over the last nine and half years I've worked my way up to the Principal Investigator role.
The variety of work here is awesome. In an investigations role you can go from the simple to mind boggling complexity in an instant. That stretch is always present, in a balanced way though. On any given day I could be researching, looking for evidence, interviewing, engaging with traders or writing an investigation report. The biggest reward for me is seeing all the pieces fall into place and getting a positive outcome at the end of it all. I also have a great team, we're at a range of different ages and stages but have loads in common. We genuinely enjoy each other's company and have an awesome sense of comradery.
Real opportunities for growth are here for those who want it. I've had great leaders who believe in me and supported my willingness to learn. The Commission is a long-standing organisation where there is a lot of knowledge to be shared with those who are committed to learning and developing themselves.
I finished my studies in November 2020 (Bachelor of Science, Statistics, and Economics - minors in Mathematics and Finance). I was lucky enough to have a mix of summer and short-term jobs in Government agencies, while I studied, that were related to my studies and interests. I found that mix of experience and quantitative studies gave me great exposure that was very relevant, particularly when I was looking for a role focusing on analysis.
My current role at the Commission ticks the boxes for me. I like public policy and feeling like I'm part of the bigger government picture. I love the rich team environment here. I've made some great friends and enjoy learning from the more senior members of our team - they're always available to give advice or insights and bounce ideas off. That's valuable to me. I feel like I can learn a lot in my current role but also from right across the Commission. There's a lot going on here. I know I can keep learning. I'd like to try new projects or secondments to develop into a more strategic role, and I know that option is there for me.
Outside of work in the evenings I usually listen to music or watch a TV show while making dinner, and on the weekend I'll have drinks or coffee with friends and get my groceries from the farmers market, but I'm very happy sleeping in and not doing a lot. Every year or so I go on a solo holiday and sit on the beach for hours, read a couple of books and go on some walks.
After completing my studies at Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University of Wellington), I began my corporate career at Te Komihana Tauhokohoko. The best thing about my job are the people I work with and the ability to make a difference for the people we work for - everyday New Zealanders.
In my time at Te Komihana Tauhokohoko I've been fortunate enough to work alongside and learn from some extremely knowledgeable people. I've also had the opportunity to engage with people outside the organisation from all walks of life - a diverse range of consumers, community advocates, SMEs, big businesses, boardroom executives, academic, technical and industry experts, legal specialists, and a range of regulators, both within Aotearoa and from all around the world.
Since starting at Te Komihana Tauhokohoko I've left and returned twice. Firstly, a move to Europe where I worked in the financial sector and more recently a stint at a major player in the e-commerce space.
Outside of work it's all about whanau, friends, and sport.
I started out on a short-term contract at the Commission after completing my Law and Commerce degree at Otago University. I've now moved through a range of different internally and externally facing projects from summary and analysis, to compliance, to “on the business†projects to provide structure and business improvements. This gave me exposure to a variety of sectors including energy and airports, ultimately ending up in my current Project Manager role in the Fibre team. One of the things I enjoy most here is the people I work with and getting to interact with a variety of people both on the project and in the wider branch and organisation.
Taking a big picture view is important in my role and it's something I enjoy and the projects I work on still allow me to use my legal and economics knowledge. I get to understand and develop the end to end process, interact with diverse groups of people and ultimately achieve some great outcomes. I chose to continue to work in an organisation that is committed to making New Zealanders better off because I believe in that purpose and the vision is meaningful to me. Everyone here is passionate about what they do and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Outside of work, I might be described as a typical Wellington foodie. I enjoy eating out and enjoying what the city has to offer but also cooking the occasional elaborate recipe at home.
Some facts about me - I'm originally from the Czech Republic. I speak a few languages including French and English and I went to university in Clermont- Ferrand in France. My work experience spans the private and public sectors, including roles at Todd Corporation, Icebreaker, and MFAT. I'm also a mum who enjoys the outdoors, sport, travelling and I love to go fishing!
I initially planned to move to New Zealand for one year. That was 10 years ago. Ultimately my passion for business and interest in commerce led me to the Commerce Commission. I like that in comparison to other agencies we're relatively small, but we still create a positive impact that's far reaching, for all New Zealanders. The culture here is very people focused. We're a friendly, professional and clever bunch who love supporting each other and enjoy what we do.
I have an interesting role. I get to be involved in projects that reach right across the organisation and have visibility of just about every area of the Commission's work. Relationships are a key focus for me, and I enjoy getting to understand the needs of all my stakeholders and giving advice that supports their work.
There is a genuine commitment to people developing themselves and their careers here. The Commission values keeping talented people and supporting them by providing opportunities to learn and grow.
I joined the Commission fresh from University where I completed a BA/BCom majoring in Marketing and Political Science. That's not necessarily a traditional fit for a job at the Commission and I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew the Commission's values and mission was a good fit for me and the work sounded interesting. I was lucky to join as a Contact Centre Adviser which gave me exposure to the full range of what the Commission does, and I took an opportunity to move into energy regulation where I've made a career over the past 10+ years. In that time, I've had a variety of roles (analyst, project manager, and manager) and the Commission has grown as I've grown. I like to think that the Commission's desire to continually improve and evolve, and a good culture of backing its people, means it's a good place to develop and make your mark.
A big factor in my longevity at the Commission is its people. Fundamentally, they're good humans which is something we look for first and foremost in any recruitment process. There's also the work ethic and passion which sees people work incredibly hard to solve problems and persevere against challenges. But most of all I've enjoyed working with some razor-sharp minds that bring different perspectives and have challenged the way I think. I get to work with engineers, economists, accountants, and lawyers (as well as people with other surprising backgrounds like physics, literature, biology to name a few). Over the years I've learned a huge amount about these other fields. It's also brilliant that as staff we're able to engage directly with our Commissioners as decision-makers - in particular, it gives me a buzz seeing junior members of my team produce quality analysis and present it to Commissioners to inform their decisions.
Outside of work I took a year's hiatus for a ski season in Canada and I'm a big fan of the Wellington clichés - coffee culture, cafes, beards and craft beer. And because I've been given a platform, I'll take the opportunity to plug that I'm the Commission's resident table tennis champion and winner of the Commission's Burger Wellington ‘home edition' Best Burger 2021 competition.
I studied Law and Politics at La Trobe University in Melbourne. As soon as I took the competition law module there I was hooked and knew that this was the area of law for me. Out of university I worked as a graduate at the Australian competition regulator, the ACCC, before heading off on my OE to London to work first at the UK competition regulator, the OFT, before moving into private practice in a Magic Circle law firm. Five and a half years and one global financial crisis later, it was time to come 'home' to Auckland to start a family.
When I first joined the Commission in 2014 I think I was employee number 13 in the Auckland office, and employee number 1 of the Auckland Competition team. Since then, the Commission has grown a lot! In 2017 I moved back to private practice for a couple of years, working in the Competition team at Bell Gully, before re-joining the Commission in 2019.
Moving back to the Commission, I was looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to focus on growing my leadership skills and experience. I am pleased to say that my current role definitely ticks those boxes. I really enjoy tapping into what motivates my team and I'm a big believer of showing recognition for great work… and we do a lot of it at the Commission.
There's a lot to like about working here. The work is varied and super-interesting, and you have a chance to make a real difference protecting competition and consumers. The people I work with are fantastic: they're hardworking and smart and are passionate about doing their best to make sure New Zealanders are getting a 'fair go'. We care for each other and our environment is inclusive. We work across boundaries, collaborate, and learn from each other, and enjoy having a drink or a game of social football together as well.
Outside of work I love running. I ran my first ultra-marathon recently and had been training for another one, although Covid combined with a creaky knee means that is now a goal for another year.
I spent 10 years working overseas, including working as a Lawyer for a Regulator in Ireland. When I was thinking about heading home to New Zealand my manager at the time suggested a secondment to the Commerce Commission which made perfect sense given my experience. Since then I've worked in a range of roles including as a Senior Legal Counsel in the Legal team, working across the Telco and Energy sectors. I've enjoyed applying my legal expertise in the different teams, working with a range of people and skills, and leaning into the growth and learning that comes from that exposure.
I took 12 months out for parental leave, then continued to grow my career into a management role where I now work across the Economic Regulation branch. I'm involved in the full range of functions that keep our branch humming including strategy, planning, reporting, recruitment, resourcing and people, working with the various teams across the Commission and being on the leadership team. I also work with our Board, Commissioners and the Chief Executive. I love the fact that no two days are the same. There's always another challenge, another question to answer or a problem to solve. Recently I have been involved in change management process which has been an entirely new experience for me and it has provided me with a whole new set of skills that I know will benefit my career and development.
We've become very good at maximising flexible working here and being able to work part-time supports me to balance family and work. There is a genuine comradery and respect amongst people at the Commission and managers show care and support for their teams, working with individuals to develop and grow.
I joined the Commission in 2015 after a stint overseas. My background is in IT. I worked in the London office of NZTE and back in New Zealand at Contact Energy, DIA, and ANZ. So, a real mix of organisations where I held helpdesk, business analyst, and change management roles.
Our environment is always busy, and I enjoy working across a big range of projects with a diverse bunch of people at all levels. One thing that really stands out for me is the friendly, inclusive and open approach people have here. Recently I moved to Auckland from Wellington and it was great that I could stay on in my role while changing locations.
Working with up to date technology is important to me and that's something I definitely get here at the Commission - we're pretty heavily focused on cloud connectivity and using a range of tech tools. My immediate and wider team are great, we each play our part in achieving impactful results right across the organisation. That means variety for us and opportunities to work collaboratively.
I'm an outdoors person - big on biking. Since my shift to Auckland I've taken up road biking (there aren't as many hills here as there are in Wellington to mountain bike on!). I also love tramping and hiking and have a goal to do as many of the 'NZ Great Walks' as possible. I've managed two this year so still a way to go.
I'm the Legal Practice and Operations Manager at the Commission. Previously I spent 12 years at Chapman Tripp where I honed my attention to detail and organisational skills in a high pressure, fast paced legal environment. My core focus was on electronic discovery, which is a relatively niche market. Taking discovery documents and turning them into user-friendly information for the legal teams was incredibly interesting and challenging. My role now is a great fit for me and my skillset and I enjoy supporting the great work the Commission does. I am also a mum of three grown up children.
I knew right from my first interview at the Commission that I really wanted to work here. I lead a wonderful, hardworking team who provide support to the whole Commission. Our work is diverse and interesting, including electronic discovery, evidence management, reporting, transcription, project support, travel arrangements - basically getting everything done in the background to support the regulatory Branches to achieve great results. Problem solving is a big part of what we do too. I have an attitude of 'come to me and I'll either solve the problem or find the right person to do it'.
If you're proactive, driven and ambitious the possibilities are endless here. You could find yourself branching out and working in an area completely different to where you thought you were headed. Managers' at the Commission genuinely support your growth and development. People here are approachable and supportive. There is real respect for who individuals are and a genuine level of support and care. I've experienced it first-hand and it's just one of the many things that I enjoy about my work.
I joined the Commission after recently finishing a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) at the University of Otago. This is my first real experience in an office job, so it's been a steep learning curve, but it's an experience I've enjoyed a lot. Having grown up in Upper Hutt, I've also really enjoyed being back in the Wellington region.
The Commerce Commission plays an important role in overseeing and improving New Zealand's markets. The opportunity to help create better outcomes for everyday New Zealanders was something that really appealed to me. I also felt as though the Commission would be a great place to build upon the legal and economic skills I developed while studying.
My favourite part of the job has to be the people. As someone who had no professional experience prior to joining the Commission, I really appreciate how generous my colleagues are with their time. They are always available for a chat and always willing to answer questions. I also value how accommodating the Commission is of flexible working arrangements. The flexibility to work from home contributes to a healthy work/life balance.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I grew up as an avid sports fan and spend a lot of time watching and discussing cricket, rugby, and basketball. I'm also a big fan of music and I'm usually pretty happy when I've got my headphones on.
My early career was in hospitality. I was a restaurant manager in the US then the UK and decided to completely change direction. I fell in love with investigations work after taking on a role at Bose Limited 8 years ago and haven't looked back. In 2017, I moved to New Zealand to be closer to my home country (Tahiti) and completed a Masters' degree in Accounting, Auditing and Taxation. I then accepted a role at one of the big four. But parallel to starting the new job, I had the chance to meet some of the Commission Credit team and was so impressed that I found myself being drawn to working here. The vision, mission, and values at the Commission simply felt right to me to the point where less than a year later, I joined the Commission as an Investigator in the Credit (CCCFA) Branch. Two years later, I'm now a Senior Investigator doing what I love in an environment that's supportive and inspiring.
Our work in the Credit Branch is quite technical so it's a good match for someone who likes numbers and being focused on details. We are a small branch, so we work closely with each other, but we also collaborate extensively in multi-disciplinary teams within the Commission but also with other regulators and agencies. My role offers the opportunity to mentor others which is important to me. I also got the chance to attend national and international training and conferences to further my skills and expertise in areas that I am interested in. It is great to then be able to share this new knowledge with teammates and integrate new skills into our daily work at the Commission.
Outside of work, I am involved with several local charities from cooking and delivering free meals to cleaning beaches and planting trees. Working for the Commission and getting involved in volunteering activities is my way of contributing to a country that's welcomed me and make it a better place for everyone.
I joined the Commission as an Investigator 12 years ago, with a background as an Account Manager in the Insurance Industry and Relationship Manager at ANZ. I also have a Commerce degree. I was excited by the opportunity to use my private sector business experience and relationship skills to achieve great outcomes for New Zealand consumers.
My progression to Senior Investigator then Principal Investigator has been an interesting journey of learning and growth. Investigations' work is highly technical and often requires a creative approach to establish exactly how consumers are being harmed, then what the best enforcement strategy is. Every trader situation or challenge is unique, and we work closely with our Legal teams and external counsel on litigation.
I've been involved in a lot of different cases and collaborated with many different teams and people. As a people leader I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience to support the development of my team members. I get a lot out of helping my people grow and reach their potential, even if it means seeing them progress into other areas of the organisation!
When I'm not at my desk you can usually find me with family, out mountain biking, or in the garage getting grease under my fingernails while I restore my grandfathers' 1965 Land Rover. It last had a warrant in 1989 so it's an ongoing labour of love.
I joined the Commerce Commission two years ago, initially on secondment from MBIE where I had a range of interesting roles over my 17 years there. My secondment at the time was part of a cross-agency approach that involved sharing expertise associated with the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA).
My decision to move to the Commission was easy in a way. During my secondment I found that my own values aligned well with the organisation. I genuinely felt that my work would make a big difference and contribute in a positive way to the lives of New Zealanders. With less than 400 employees here we have a nimble and agile approach which provides opportunities to implement high impact initiatives quickly.
I make sure our branch is set up to have a good rhythm from an operational perspective and I work closely with the General Manager to enable our credit outreach, engagement, law reform and sector analysis functions in relation to credit matters. It's exciting to be heading into the foundation year of a newly created branch.
Right now, one of the things I'm most enjoying about life at the Commission is our “Fit for the Future†programme which is about us strengthening our impact and evolving. It's good to be a part of such positive change for all New Zealanders.
What stands out for me in a big way here is the focus on people. Internally our people are empowered and supported to make their own pathways. There is diversity and a culture of putting people first. Externally it is all about how we make everyone in New Zealand better off.
As a solo parent of two I appreciate the flexible working arrangements available to every employee. I get to balance my work with family needs and that kind of support can be transformational for people who are looking for balance. Outside of work I'm pretty busy with family but also love to keep fit.
Originally from Auckland, I moved to Wellington in 2014 to join the Commerce Commission. Prior to that I completed my BA in Political Science and LLB at the University of Auckland, worked as a graduate Research Assistant, and consulted on waste management policy. I had some insight into life at the Commission because I had friends who were already part of the team here. I liked the sound of the work and could see opportunities for me to progress and develop.
Seven years on I can happily confirm my goal of career progression into more senior and challenging roles is well underway. The range of exposure I get to different areas of essential infrastructure that enables life in New Zealand has been invaluable. Keeping up with the broad scope and constant evolution of markets and technologies is an exciting challenge.
I've always liked the idea of doing work that helps consumers and achieves positive outcomes for New Zealanders across important sectors of industry. That feeling of contribution is rewarding. We have interdisciplinary teams made up of people who bring different perspectives and strong expertise. Working collaboratively like this means we all learn from each other and benefit from knowledge sharing.
When I'm not at work I'm into photography and a bit of DIY carpentry. I'm passionate about the energy industry and an eager participant in social debates on social media. I see moving towards a carbon neutral target as a crucial aspect of life. I also have an interest in urbanism - public housing and transport in Wellington particularly.
My career started with me completing a law degree at the University of Otago. I also had an interest in economics and politics. After graduating I worked at a national law firm for five and half years before joining the competition legal team at the Commerce Commission. My decision to move was helped by the positive experiences I'd had with people at the Commission. Having worked alongside them in my previous role I knew that I would be surrounded by highly capable people and what to expect in terms of the culture and way people work together. I had an interest and experience in competition and public law and I was excited by the opportunity to work in a role that used that experience and supported the New Zealand public interest.
Since joining the Commission in 2019 I haven't stopped learning. The exposure to different markets, including learning about the detailed workings of different sectors, has been invaluable. We work in multidisciplinary teams in the competiton area, with a combination of lawyers, investigators and economists. We each bring a different skillset and perspective and try to work together in an integrated and collaborative way.
The Commission offers unique training opportunities, with highlights in my time here including training from the FBI and hands-on search warrant training. I also enjoy the variety in my work. Each day is different. I might be interviewing someone for an investigation, undertaking research, managing litigation, or adovcating for or advising on a change in the law.
I'm on the hunt for new hobbies having recently completed a cross stitch of The Starry Night. I also have a long-standing and never-achieved new year's resolution of going to the gym more regularly, with Zumba and martial arts-based cardio classes being my favourites.
I joined the Commission through the Tupu Tai internship programme in 2021. I chose the Commission as my preferred employer, so I was excited to hear I was successful. Being Pasifika I've been brought up wanting to contribute to the betterment of others, so working at the Commission aligns with my values and it feels good to work here. It's a natural fit for me and I am learning something new and exciting every day.
I was offered a part-time role at the Commission in the Strategy, Governance and Engagement branch once my summer internship finished which means I'm able to balance working and developing a couple of days a week while also studying. I also received the opportunity to rotate between different teams and branches which I am grateful for. I'm doing a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Chinese. In my spare time, I like to chuck on a tune on my ukulele, write songs, paint, and explore different cafes in Wellington with my friends.
I really like the open and friendly environment and culture here at the Commission. People are always willing to help, and I'm trusted to do my work which makes me feel valued. There is lots of support for interns which is always a good thing!
