Commissioners

TAIC has four Commissioners. On the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, the Governor-General appoints the Commissioners for fixed, renewable terms. The board members operate as Commissioners for inquiry work, and separately as the governance board of the independent Crown entity.

TAIC Commissioners

Paula Rose, David Clarke, and Stephen Davies Howard standing side by side against a plain wall. Paula Rose wears glasses, a light-coloured jacket, and a patterned skirt. David Clarke wears a dark suit and tie and is smiling. Stephen Davies Howard wears glasses, a dark suit, and a patterned tie. — The Transport Accident Investigation Commission, photographed in December 2025

David Clarke, Chief Commissioner

David Clark - Chief Commissioner TAIC

David is a senior lawyer with 27 years of legal professional experience that includes litigation, and corporate and commercial advice for private and listed company boards and public entities. David brings over 20 years’ experience in governance roles in the commercial, public and charitable sectors, including in Chair, finance and audit and risk roles.

David was appointed to the Commission in December 2022. His term expires on 30 November 2030.

Stephen Davies Howard, Deputy Chief Commissioner

Stephen Howard-Davies - Deputy Chief Commisioner

Stephen Davies Howard is a Wellington-based company director.

He flew fighter jets for the Royal Air Force (including the F4 Phantom and Tornado F3) and served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as the Training Group Commander. He attained the rank of Group Captain in both services. His strategic international experience includes being an accredited attaché to the British Embassy to the United States. He retains a commercial pilot licence and a commercially endorsed Ocean Yachtmaster's certificate.

Stephen Davies Howard was first appointed as a Commissioner in June 2015 and was appointed Deputy Chief Commissioner from 1 November 2018. His term expires on 30 June 2028.

Paula Rose QSO

Paula Rose - Commissioner TAIC

Paula is a Canterbury based director. Her career has seen her in roles that focus on reducing harm -- including as National Manager, Road Policing with NZ Police, and Deputy Chair of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety. Paula holds a number of governance roles including Deputy Chief Commissioner Te Kāhui Tātari Ture | Criminal Cases Review Commission and Authority Member, Electricity Authority. Previous roles include board positions for WorkSafe NZ, Social Workers Registration Board and the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

Paula is a Hato Hone St John volunteer and is a member of the Hato Hone St John Priory Trust Board.

Paula was appointed to the Commission in May 2017. Her term expires on 30 June 2027.

Aedeen Boadita-Cormican

Commissioner Aedeen Boadita-Cormican

Aedeen is a barrister with over 35 years of legal expertise including inquiries, inquests, advising regulators and has had prior involvement with the transport sector.

She is a member of Clifton Chambers and has formerly held roles as General Counsel & Company Secretary for the Accident Compensation Corporation, Acting Treasury Solicitor and Senior Crown Counsel at Crown Law.

Aedeen also holds governance experience from serving as a director of Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd and governance roles in Non-Governmental Organisations.

She joins Chief Commissioner David Clarke, Deputy Chief Commissioner Stephen Davies Howard and Commissioner Paula Rose. She replaces Bernadette Arapere, who resigned from the Board in November after being appointed as a District Court Judge.