About us

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) is an Independent Crown Entity. It’s our job to regulate the Privacy Act 2020 and make sure agencies (businesses and organisations) know what rules they need to follow. We also help individuals whose privacy has been breached and educate New Zealanders about their privacy rights.
We are funded by the state but are independent of Government or ministerial control.

Privacy means different things to different people. A right to privacy can mean a right to be left alone, a right to control who sees information about you, or a right to make decisions about your personal life without government intervention.

The value of a right to privacy can also vary depending on circumstances, cultural context, time and personal preference. Although privacy is important, it is not absolute. Other social interests can be more important than privacy in some instances, such as preventing crime, ensuring safety, and ensuring that courts get information to make their decisions.

OPC works to develop and promote a culture in which personal information is protected and respected.

Our Values

Our Leadership Team

Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner	Michael Webster, Privacy Commissioner Michael took up the role of Privacy Commissioner on 5 July 2022. Commissioner Webster’s career has focused on enabling and driving good governance, the promotion of democratic rights and values, the development and application of codes of conduct and behaviour, and working to ensure compliance with both statutory provisions and constitutional conventions. Since taking up the role, Commissioner Webster has focused on ensuring the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is equipped to deliver on its vision of making privacy a core focus for agencies, in order to protect the privacy of individuals, enable agencies to achieve their own objectives, and safeguard a free and democratic society. That has seen a strengthening of the compliance and enforcement function, a focus on delivering on the Office’s regulatory stewardship responsibilities, and advocating for a regulatory framework and Privacy Act that’s fit for purpose in the digital age.
Liz MacPherson, Deputy Privacy Commissioner	Liz MacPherson, Deputy Privacy Commissioner Liz joined the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in April 2020 as Assistant Privacy Commissioner, Policy and Operations and was appointed as the first statutory Deputy Privacy Commissioner in November 2021. Liz has had an extensive public service career spanning more than 30 years including policy, operations, regulatory, strategy and corporate governance roles. Liz held several Deputy Chief Executive positions at the Ministry of Economic Development and MBIE before being appointed to the position of Government Statistician in 2013 and later Government Chief Data Steward. In addition to her role as the statutory Deputy Commissioner, Liz leads the Office’s Compliance and Enforcement, Capability and Guidance, Policy and Investigations and Dispute Resolution teams.
Emma Boddy, General Manager	Emma Boddy, General Manager Emma joined the Office in 2015 as Manager, Finance and Performance and took up the role of General Manager in October 2023. She is based in Auckland and manages all the Office's corporate service functions including HR, IT, finance, corporate planning and reporting, and records management. Emma has been working in the New Zealand public sector since 2008 and prior to that was based in the UK where she managed the audits of many public and private sector entities. Emma is a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).
Joanna Hayward, General Counsel	Joanna Hayward, General Counsel Joanna joined the Office in July 2014, and assumed the role of General Counsel in August 2019. She was previously an adviser to the New Zealand Law Commission and is an experienced lawyer with particular expertise in privacy and law reform. As General Counsel, she is responsible for contributing to law reform, providing legal assurance and compliance advice to the Commissioner, and legal representation on behalf of the Commissioner.