Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the reappointment of Kristy McDonald QC as the chairperson of the Real Estate Agents Authority.

The Authority is the regulatory body for the real estate industry, created by the Real Estate Agents Act 2008.

Ms McDonald was appointed as the inaugural chairperson of the Authority in July 2009 and has played a key role in its establishment.

Ms Collins said she was delighted that Ms McDonald had agreed to serve a further year as the Authority's chair.

Ms McDonald has extensive experience as a litigation lawyer and has practised as a barrister sole since 1989. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1999 and has served as the chairperson of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and as a member of the Removal Review Authority.

In 2008 she was appointed chairperson of the Judicial Control Authority for Racing.