The Utilities Disputes Board has appointed Mary Ollivier as Utilities Disputes Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer.

Until recently, Ms Ollivier was Director, Regulatory of the New Zealand Law Society, and before that Acting Executive Director from January 2018 to April 2019.

Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in December 1991, she has extensive legal and regulatory experience. Ms Ollivier has worked in law firms in Auckland, Wellington and overseas and was Professional Standards Director and Deputy Executive Director of the former Wellington District Law Society before being appointed General Manager, Regulatory, of the New Zealand Law Society.

Utilities Disputes provides a free and independent dispute resolution service for electricity, gas, and water complaints, and disputes about access to shared property for broadband installations.