48. Selection and definition of comparator male occupations---(1) If
 the Commissioner decides to proceed with a pay equity assessment, the
 Commissioner shall, as a second step, select two or more male
 occupations to be used as comparator occupations for the purposes of the
 pay equity assessment.

   (2) The Commissioner shall, in making the selection, ensure---
   (a) That at least one of the male occupations selected is, where
         practicable,---
           (i) An occupation with members employed in the same work
         places, or the same types of work places, as those in which most
         of the female occupation, or a significant number of members of
         the female occupation, are employed; and
           (ii) An occupation that requires of its members that they
         have, in an overall sense, broadly similar levels of skills,
         effort, and responsibility as the female occupation requires of
         its members; and
   (b) That the other male occupation is one that requires of its members
         that they have, in an overall sense, broadly similar levels of
         skills, effort, and responsibility as the female occupation
         requires of its members.

   (3) Where it is not practicable to select a male occupation to which
 subsection (2) (a) of this section applies, the Commissioner shall
 ensure that both male occupations selected under subsection (1) of this
 section are occupations to which subsection (2) (b) of this section
 applies.

   (4) In defining a male occupation, the Commissioner---
   (a) Shall have regard to, and may make use of,---
           (i) Where appropriate, New Zealand Standard Classification of
         Occupations digit levels 2, 3, 4, or 5; and
           (ii) Where appropriate, any work descriptions or position
         designations in awards or agreements covering members of the
         male occupation; and
           (iii) Any other method of description that the Commissioner
         considers appropriate; and
           (iv) The views of the interested parties; but
   (b) Shall not be obliged to keep within the definition provided by the
         person who made the request for the pay equity assessment nor to
         cover the whole of the occupation defined by the person who made
         the request for the pay equity assessment.