Two lawyers have been appointed as members of the inaugural board for the Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.

The Commission is tasked with developing a long-term infrastructure plan and pipeline and helping governments make decisions to improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

The board has seven members and will be chaired by Victoria University Professor of Practice Alan Bollard.

Simpson Grierson Special Counsel David Cochrane was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in February 1975. Based in Wellington, his experience includes law law drafting here and overseas, submissions to Select Committees and Government, general governance advice, and specific interests in transport, fisheries, primary industries, local government corporate activities, superannuation and other trusts, and retirement villages.

Sarah Sinclair is a partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts and is chair of the partnership. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in September 2002 and has been a member of the Expert Review Panel for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga establishment project. Ms Sinclair has extensive experience acting for both government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects.