Marie Shroff
{{short description|New Zealand public servant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Dame Marie Shroff
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|DNZM|CVO|size=100%}}
| image = Marie Shroff (Privacy Commissioner).JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1944}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office1 = Chair of the Electoral Commission
| term_start1 = 2019
| term_end1 = 2024
| predecessor1 = Hugh Williams
| successor1 = Simon Moore
| office2 = 2nd Privacy Commissioner
| term_start2 = 2003
| term_end2 = 2014
| predecessor2 = Bruce Slane
| successor2 = John Edwards
| office3 = 15th Secretary of the Cabinet
| term_start3 = 6 October 1987
| term_end3 = 2003
| predecessor3 = Patrick Millen
| successor3 = Diane Morcom
}}
Dame Janet Marie Shroff {{post-nominals|country=NZL|DNZM|CVO}} (born 1944) is a New Zealand public servant. She has served as the Cabinet Secretary (1987–2003), Privacy Commissioner (2003–2014), and chair of the New Zealand Electoral Commission (2019–2024).
Biography
Shroff was born in Auckland in 1944 and educated at Epsom Girls' Grammar School and the University of Auckland.{{cite web |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35847210 |title=Interview with Marie Shroff |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=18 March 2000 |accessdate=15 June 2020}} She worked as a research assistant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) and then as a journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.{{cite web |url=https://www.innovation.org.nz/speakers/marie-shroff |title=Privacy and Technology – Innovative Partners |publisher=New Zealand Computer Society |date=17 September 2010 |accessdate=15 June 2020}} Her husband also worked for MFAT, and so she worked as a teacher at Samoa College, and then for the UK Cabinet Office during his foreign postings. On her return to New Zealand she worked for the State Services Commission in policy development and then on the creation of State-owned Enterprises.
From 1987 to 2003, Shroff served as Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council of New Zealand{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3525895 |title=Silent witness reflects on Cabinet |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=29 September 2003 |accessdate=15 June 2020}} and during that time she co-led a senior officials group which prepared central government for the introduction of the proportional electoral system in New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://elections.nz/about/about-the-electoral-commission/our-leadership/ |title=Meet the Board |author= |date=16 November 2021 |website=Elections.nz |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=16 November 2021 |quote=}} From 2003 to 2014 she served as Privacy Commissioner.{{cite web |url=https://www.privacy.org.nz/about-us/introduction |title=About Us |publisher=Office of the Privacy Commissioner |date= |accessdate=15 June 2020}} In August 2019 she was appointed to chair the New Zealand Electoral Commission,{{cite web |url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/marie-shroff-new-electoral-commission-chair/ |title=Marie Shroff new Electoral Commission Chair |publisher=Electoral Commission |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=15 June 2020}} and served in that role until November 2024, when she was succeeded by Simon Moore.{{cite web |url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2024/hon-justice-simon-moore-kc-named-as-new-chair/ |title=Hon Justice Simon Moore KC named as new chair |date=24 October 2024 |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=18 November 2024}}
Shroff is a member of the Media Council and on the boards of Consumer NZ and the Consumer Foundation. In 2017, she became the inaugural chair of the Privacy Foundation New Zealand, and she continues to sit on its board.{{cite web |url=https://www.privacyfoundation.nz/about-us/committee/ |title=Patron & Committee |publisher=Privacy Foundation New Zealand |date= |accessdate=15 June 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://elections.nz/about/about-the-electoral-commission/our-leadership/ |title=Meet the Board |author= |date=16 November 2021 |website=Elections.nz |publisher=The Electoral Commission |access-date=16 November 2021 |quote=}}
Honours and awards
File:Marie Shroff DNZM investiture.jpg by the governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House, Auckland, on 30 May 2022]]
Shroff was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993.{{cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/new-zealand-royal-honours/new-zealand-royal-honours-system/types-new-zealand-royal-honours/other-distinctive-new-zealand-honours/suffrage-medal-register |title=The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 – Register of recipients |publisher=DPMC |date= 26 July 2018|accessdate=15 June 2020}} She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1995 and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2004 New Years honours list. In the 2022 New Year Honours, Shroff was promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the State and the community.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-year-honours-the-full-list-of-2022/EOKFR77H542D647EWBSCHNSBKI/ |title=New Year Honours: the full list of 2022 |date=31 December 2021 |work=New Zealand Herald |access-date=31 December 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:New Zealand public servants
Category:New Zealand women public servants
Category:New Zealand Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
Category:Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Category:University of Auckland alumni
Category:People educated at Epsom Girls' Grammar School
Category:Recipients of the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993