WELLINGTON, March 25, 2026 — New Zealand’s competition regulator has appointed a new chief executive, selecting a senior public sector leader with experience across government and business.
The New Zealand Commerce Commission announced that Suzanne Stew will take up the role on May 4.
Commission chair John Small said Stew stood out among a strong pool of candidates due to her leadership experience across both the public and private sectors.
“She brings a reputation for outstanding leadership, a focus on people and the ability to navigate complex systems while consistently delivering results,” Small said.
Stew has held several senior roles in New Zealand’s public service, most recently at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, where she oversaw a regulatory portfolio covering 11 regulatory systems and also served as acting chief executive.
Her earlier career included engineering and management roles in the private sector, including work with British Telecom and Sony in the United Kingdom. After moving to New Zealand, she held senior management positions at Wrightson and TelstraClear.
She later joined the public sector through positions at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Justice.
The Commission said Stew’s experience across government, state-owned entities and private companies gives her a broad perspective on how markets and regulatory systems interact.
Small also thanked interim leader Raj Krishnan and deputy Anna Moodie for guiding the agency during the leadership transition.
