Commissioners

Chris Black – Board Chair

CA, PGDip Accounting, BSurv, MInstD 

Chris brings more than 25 years’ governance and executive experience with a strong background in insurance, banking and investment management.  

He was previously Chief Executive of FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) from 2008 to 2021, has been the President of the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and served on the Board of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme. Chris has expertise in corporate strategy, customer service, financial and risk management, and leading cultural change. Chris was appointed to the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board in April 2022 and as Chair from 1 July 2022. 

Term ends: 31 March 2025

Hon Ruth Dyson - Deputy Chair

QSO

Ruth Dyson has had a lengthy political career, serving as President of the NZ Labour Party from 1988 to 1992 and as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 2020 representing the electorates of Lyttelton, Banks Peninsula and Port Hills. She was a Cabinet Minister between 1999 and 2008, serving as Minister for Social Development, ACC, Labour, Disability Issues and Senior Citizens amongst others. She has a strong public policy background and a track record of working for her constituents following the Canterbury earthquakes. She was Opposition spokesperson for Earthquake recovery, Chief Whip and Assistant Speaker prior to her retirement. Ruth joined the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board in May 2021 and was appointed Deputy Chair in April 2022.

Term ends: 30 April 2026

Alastair Hercus

BA (Hons), LLB, CMInstD

Alastair has been a Partner at Buddle Findlay since 1995, following an earlier career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He brings legal, governance and government sector experience. He has insurance sector experience as former Deputy Chair of the Medical Assurance Society and is currently Chair of Co-operative Life Ltd. He is also a Director of Invercargill Airport Ltd, and Chair of the Risk & Advisory Committee at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Alastair brings a focus on Toka Tū Ake EQC's policy, regulatory and commercial environment, including responses to the Public Inquiry, regulatory changes, and the Toka Tū Ake relationship with the private insurance industry. Alastair joined the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board on 1 March 2020, and is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Terms ends: 30 June 2025

Alister James

QSO LLB

Alister is a Christchurch barrister with significant public sector governance experience, whose active involvement in the community and voluntary sector, was recognised by his appointment as a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order in 2004. Alister was a Christchurch City councillor for 20 years and a member and former Chair of the Canterbury District Health Board. He has also perviously served as British Honorary Consul, Deputy Chair of the State Housing Appeal Authority, Director and Chair of Christchurch City Holdings Limited, Chair of the Nga Hau e Wha Christchurch National Marae, and until recently, independent Chair of the Greater Christchurch Public Transport Joint Committee. Alister is the Chair of Southern Response Earthquake Services and joined the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board in May 2021.

Term ends: 30 April 2024

Erica Seville

PhD, BE (Hons), CMInstD, Hon FBCI

Erica brings a strong focus on building broader resilience for Toka Tū Ake EQC, as well as preparing for our role during a disaster recovery. She is the co-founder of Resilient Organisations, a social enterprise undertaking both public-good research and consulting to help organisations and communities to improve their resilience. Erica has a PhD in risk management and has experience leading several major research programmes in the fields of disaster management, economic and business recovery, and the efficacy of insurance. In addition to her role with Toka Tū Ake, Erica is also a director for Resilient Organisations, BRANZ, and is Chair of RRANZ.  Erica joined the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board in 2018 and is the Chair of the People and Culture sub-committee. 

Terms ends: 30 June 2024

Fiona Wilson

B.Sc, M.Sc, GradDipApplStats, CMInstD

Fiona, originally from Australia, now a New Zealand citizen, has held Chief Information Officer and Chief Executive Officer roles in Australia and New Zealand. Having been Chief Information Officer for major organisations in the Australian health sector, she brings experience leading technology related changes across complex organisations to deliver benefit to diverse stakeholder groups. Fiona has also worked with a large consulting firm and led an analytics business in New Zealand. Fiona brings a track record of bridging technology, data, and business needs, and building business capability to deliver in both the public and private sectors. 

Term ends: 31 August 2024

Scott Lewis

BBS, FIAA, FNZSA, CMInstD

Scott has had a career in insurance and actuarial work in New Zealand and overseas. He provided expertise to Lumley Insurance from 2012 to 2014 with its response to the Canterbury Earthquakes before joining IAG as Head of Insurance Risk and Reinsurance. More recently, he spent two years at Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, working on a data driven approach to better understand wellbeing for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and the NZ Society of Actuaries and also currently sits on the Council of the NZ Society of Actuaries.

Term ends: 28 February 2026

Ziena Jalil

MA (Hons), BCS, DipIntlTrade, MInstD

Ziena brings a rich experience as an accomplished business and public sector leader with a focus on delivering equity and opportunity for those with diverse cultures, abilities and experiences.

A champion of customer and community centricity, Ziena has consulted for some of New Zealand’s largest businesses and organisations on their strategies, building their stakeholder relationships, reputations and revenue.

She advocates for outcomes that make a difference and is passionate about supporting the growth of women and young people from Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities.

Ziena holds several governance positions across public, private and charity sectors. These include roles with Education New Zealand, Manukau Institute of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, DNA Design, Asia New Zealand Foundation, and the Cancer Society of New Zealand.

She has received several international awards for her work promoting New Zealand trade and education in Asia, and advises businesses looking to grow in the region. Ziena jined the Toka Tū Ake EQC Board in July 2022.

Term ends: 30 June 2025