Wellington barrister Jane Meares has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

Auckland barrister Richard Marchant has been appointed as a Commissioner.

The appointments are made by the Governor General on the recommendation of Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

Ms Meares was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in October 1990 and practises at Clifton Chambers as a commercial barrister. She was a partner with Bell Gully before joining the New Zealand Treasury as Chief Legal Advisor.

Her term will expire in October 2021.

Mr Marchant was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in December 1985. His term will expire in April 2019.