[People] Chen changes BNZ board

Chairman John Waller said the appointment aligns with BNZ’s mission of supporting a higher-achieving New Zealand.

“Mai Chen is an outstanding New Zealand leader, combining expertise in public law with wide-ranging commercial experience. She will bring fresh and diverse views to board discussions, alongside the formal business of our board.

Chen has acted as an adviser to government ministers on major legislative and policy changes, and chaired government reviews, lectured at leading universities and authored many books. She has established influential not-for-profit leadership organisations for women, Asian New Zealanders and Pasifika.

“She has pioneered the practice of public law in New Zealand, including co-founding Chen Palmer, a leading law firm specialising in public and administrative law, legislation and public policy as well as employment law,” Waller said.