Telco-users' champion to step down from role

Ernie Newman. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The voice of New Zealand's telecommunications users is stepping down after more than a decade in the role.

Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) head Ernie Newman announced his resignation by email yesterday, saying the decision by the Communications and IT Minister Steven Joyce to regulate mobile termination rates had brought to a close a suite of last-generation policy issues, "making this as good a moment as any to make a move".

In an interview with the Weekend Herald in 2007 Newman, 64, said there was not a chief executive of a major phone company in New Zealand who had not given him a major dressing down at some point.

"I've been ticked off by various Government agencies, I've come into controversy with other business groups who have had a different view at various times, but hey, if you believe you're on solid ground you actually have to stand that ground."

Telecom spokesman Mark Watts said the telco didn't always agree with Newman on the big issues.

"That's the nature of big issues. They are going to attract big opinions and fairly vociferous arguments. He fought his corner and we acknowledge that."

Tex Edwards, founder of mobile operator 2degrees, said Newman was a proper consumer champion.

"He can be proud of achieving a colossal volume of telecommunications and broadband industry improvements throughout his time at Tuanz," said Edwards.

"His legacy is that competition has improved and prices have come down. Day in and day out over four million Kiwis benefit from Ernie's work. His truly unique and occasionally humorous contribution will be missed by the industry and by Government officials."

Newman said he had no idea what his next move would be - his last day will be at the end of next month.

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