Crown Ownership Monitoring Unit

The Crown Ownership Monitoring Unit (COMU) is part of the New Zealand Treasury. It:

• Provides strategic ownership advice to the New Zealand Government on the commercial assets it owns and monitors the performance of those assets;
• Assists with the appointment of directors to Crown company boards;
• Advises shareholding Ministers on performance and governance issues; and
• Works with other monitoring departments and agencies to share good practice and lift performance.

COMU monitors:

• 17 state-owned enterprises;
• Eight Crown research institutes;
• Four Crown financial institutions;
• Air New Zealand Limited;
• Five other Crown companies;
• Some statutory entities; and
• The Crown’s shareholding in a shipping line and four airports.

Collectively and individually, these organisations provide important products and services to and for New Zealanders and make a significant contribution to the national economy and well-being.

On this website you will find:

• Information on the role of COMU and why a Crown company monitoring and governance function is necessary;
• An outline of the application process required to express an interest in becoming a director on a Crown board;
• Brief details on each of the companies that COMU monitors;
• A discussion of important issues affecting the Crown company sector; and
• A number of key documents about the Crown company sector.