“9 Deputy Commissioners

• “(1) One or more Deputy Health and Disability Commissioners may be appointed in the same way as the Commissioner is appointed, except that the Minister must consult the Commissioner before recommending a person for appointment as a Deputy Commissioner.

  “(2) A Deputy Commissioner has any powers, duties, and functions that—

  • “(a) the Commissioner delegates to the Deputy Commissioner under section 68(3A); and

  • “(b) the Deputy Commissioner may exercise and perform under subsection (3).

  “(3) During the absence of the Commissioner from duty (for any reason) or a vacancy in the office of the Commissioner (for any reason), the powers, duties, and functions of the Commissioner may be exercised and performed by—

  • “(a) the Deputy Commissioner who was nominated for the purpose by the Commissioner before the absence or vacancy by a written notice that is in force at the time of the absence or vacancy; or

  • “(b) if there is no such notice, the Deputy Commissioner who has been Deputy Commissioner for the longest time.”