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. The Ministry of Transport manages board appointment processes for the Minister.
David Clarke, Chief Commissioner
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. His 27 years of legal professional experience includes litigation, and corporate and commercial advice for private and listed company boards and public entities.
David was appointed to the Commission in December 2022, expiring 30 November 2025.
Stephen Davies Howard, Deputy Chief Commissioner
Stephen Davies Howard is a Wellington-based company director.
He flew fighters for the Royal Air Force (including the F4 Phantom and Tornado F3) and also 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 current term runs from July 2023 to 30 June 2028.
Paula Rose QSO
Paula is a Canterbury based director. Her career has seen her in roles which focus on reducing harm. She was formerly 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 on WorkSafe NZ, Social Workers Registration Board and the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Paula is a Hato Hone St John volunteer and is currently 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.
Bernadette Roka Arapere
He uri tēnei o Ngāti Raukawa te au ki te Tonga, o Ngāti Tūwharetoa, o Ngāti Maniapoto hoki.
Bernadette is a barrister specialising in public and administrative law litigation and Māori legal issues. She is Deputy Chair of the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal, a Trustee of the NZ Law Foundation and Raukawa ki te Tonga Trust, and an active member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (the Māori Law Society). Bernadette lives in Whanganui with her whānau.
Prior to joining the independent bar, Bernadette was Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office in Wellington and a Director of Wackrow Williams & Davies Ltd in Auckland.
Bernadette was appointed to the Commission in December 2022, expiring 30 November 2025.