Marie Shroff
New Zealand Privacy Commissioner

Marie Shroff was appointed to the independent statutory position of Privacy Commissioner in late 2003. Her responsibilities include independent comment on significant personal information policies and issues, providing opinions on privacy complaints made against government and business, monitoring government data matching and promoting good personal information handling practices in New Zealand.

From 1987 – 2003 Marie Shroff held the position of Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council. As Secretary/Clerk she was responsible for the operation of Cabinet, the Executive Council, and Government House, and for related constitutional advice. Throughout her 16 years as Secretary of the Cabinet she undertook and implemented major reforms of policy and practices in these areas of responsibility.

Marie Shroff was responsible for guiding the Cabinet Office and Government House through the transition from a first past the post electoral system to proportional representation and coalition government in New Zealand. As Secretary/Clerk she worked with four Governors-General, six Prime Ministers, and governments of various parties.

Earlier in her career Marie Shroff worked in foreign affairs, teaching, journalism and the public service. From 1986 to 1987 she led an official group managing the corporatisation of nine major state agencies in New Zealand. From 1980 – 82 she was seconded to the UK Cabinet Office.

Marie Shroff has published speeches and articles on government and constitutional issues, and on privacy issues. She was awarded an Australia/New Zealand Foundation Fellowship in 1995 and a Chevening Fellowship in 2002, and is a member of the Board of the Equal Opportunities Trust. Marie served as New Zealand representative on the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) from August 2005 to June 2009.

She was awarded a CVO in 1995 and a CNZM in January 2004.