State-owned Enterprises Minister Simon Power has announced 22 new appointments, and 20 reappointments to state sector boards.

Noteable appointments include former finance minister Michael Cullen as deputy chair of NZ Post and former Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock as deputy chairwoman of New Zealand Railways Corporation.

Ms Rebstock stepped down as chairwoman of the Commerce Commission last month but returned to sit on the three-person Telecommunications Commission panel.

"Shareholding ministers have previously stated that we are looking for more commercially-focused boards, and a change in the governance of the SOE portfolio will help achieve that,” Mr Power said in a statement.

New chairs to SOE boards include: David Clarke (Kordia), Phil Lough (Quotable Value), and Sarah Astor (MetService – promoted from deputy chair.

Mr Power thanked outgoing chairs: Wayne Brown (Kordia), Kay McKelvie (Quotable Value), and Dr Francis Small (MetService).

Among other changes, Joanna Perry (Genesis), Polly Schaverien (MetService) and Ian Donald (Transpower) have been elevated to deputy chair.