Privacy Commissioner appointment

10 December 2013

The outgoing Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff today welcomed the announcement of John Edwards as her successor as Privacy Commissioner.

“John will bring his long experience as a legal practitioner specialising in privacy and information law to this position. I wish him very well for this interesting role,” Ms Shroff said. “The task of being the country’s privacy watchdog has become an increasingly demanding one in recent years.”

“The information age presents all of us with big opportunities, as well as large challenges and risks to privacy. Vast collections of information about all of us have become a new resource and commodity for both business and government.”

“I want to thank the expert and dedicated staff of the OPC who have all played a part in helping to protect New Zealanders’ information in this testing new environment,” Ms Shroff said.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to be a participant and close observer in the exciting changes we have seen in the last 10 years. I believe the office has contributed to a better understanding of the information revolution and its impact on people.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

Ms Shroff was appointed Privacy Commissioner at the end of 2003. She leaves office in mid-February 2014, having completed two 5 year terms as New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner.

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