Wira Gardiner

Wellington, May 25 NZPA - Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed new chair of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

Sir Wira's appointment is for a term of three years and fills the vacancy left following the resignation of David Shand, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said today.

Mr Joyce said Sir Wira brought a range of perspectives and experience to a role which required strong governance and leadership experience.

Sir Wira last year narrowly missed out on a place on the board -- and potentially the presidency -- of the National Party.

There were suggestions his wife, MP Hekia Parata, may have represented a conflict of interest.