Securities Commission head takes NZ citizenship

The head of the Securities Commission, Australian-born Jane Diplock, is becoming a New Zealander.

Ms Diplock and her husband, investment banker and company director Phillip Meyer, have been in New Zealand since 2001, when she was appointed chairman of the commission for a five-year term.

She was asked whether they were putting down permanent roots in New Zealand after it was revealed the couple had bought a multimillion dollar Wellington house from the Todd family.

Ms Diplock replied that they would be granted New Zealand citizenship tomorrow.

"We're becoming Kiwis," she told the Dominion Post newspaper.

John Todd, patriarch of the Todd family, sold the Roseneath suburban home late last year in a private sale. The house's latest capital valuation was $2.65 million, including a $1.85 million land value.

Ms Diplock would not say yesterday how much she and Mr Meyer paid for their new home but they would have to fork out more than $10,000 a year on rates for it.

The house, with expansive city and harbour views, was named one of New Zealand's best 100 homes by the National Business Review in 2001.

The Todds are New Zealand's second-richest family, with business valued at $2.3 billion in last year's NBR rich list. They made their fortune through car assembly, energy and investments.

- NZPA