About Us

Consumer Board

Consumer NZ is governed by an elected board of 7 members who hold office for 3 years. Current members of the Board are profiled below. 

Board nominations: Nominations for the Consumer NZ board election 2012 are now open. Information and a downloadable nomination form are available here.

Nicola Wills of Wellington

Board chair

A Wellington barrister, Nicola has expertise in consumer and competition law, and has prosecuted for the Commerce Commission. She is currently an Adjudicator for the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. She chairs the Interim Consumer Foundation Board.

First elected to the Board in 2008. 

Alexandra Sims of Auckland

Deputy Chair

Associate Professor in Commercial Law in the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Auckland. Has taught IT Law at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Experience on boards and committees within the university and the wider community.

First elected to the Board in 2009.

Richard Aston of Auckland

CEO of Big Buddy, a social agency working with volunteer mentors. Richard comes from a business background in IT (for large corporates), and marketing. He's been on school boards and the occasional government panel. He's particularly interested in harnessing the internet power of consumers to give feedback - both good and bad - to the commercial world.

First elected to the Board in 2010.

Rob Crozier of Kapiti Coast

Rob Crozier is a former Director of the PSIS and was General Secretary of the Association of University Staff. He has been a Consumer member for more than 30 years.

First elected to the Board in 2002.

Amanda Santos-Trew of Wellington

CEO of SMSS, which provides student-management software to tertiary education institutions. SMSS is owned by several tertiary education institutes and is a registered charity. Amanda was involved as a product tester for the UK consumer organisation, Which? and completed an MBA at Victoria University in 2006.

First elected to the Board in 2010.

Oscar Alpers of Christchurch

A lawyer with experience in private practice and local government. Currently chairman of the Port Hills Park Trust Board, a member of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, and a Rotarian. Has extensive governance experience in local and central government, the voluntary sector and the commercial sector.

First elected to the Board in 2011.

Gail Powell of Carterton

Twenty years' experience as a senior manager in the public service. Was the first executive director of the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Worked at Consumers’ Institute in the mid 70s.

First elected to the Board in 2011.