Office of the Privacy Commissioner | Privacy Commissioner welcomes new Pou Ārahi
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster is delighted to announce the appointment of Shane Heremaia (Ngati Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa) to the position of Pou Ārahi at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC). Shane will build on the mahi of our inaugural Pou Ārahi, PJ Devonshire.
Shane brings his considerable skills and experience in te ao Māori, business and law to the role of Pou Ārahi.
Shane’s professional background includes being the Chief Executive of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board (2022-2022), General Manager at Te Arawa Fisheries Group (2008-2019) and General Counsel for Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (1995-2004). Shane also worked in a variety of consultancies while in London from 2004-2008 and at law firm Phillips Fox Barristers and Solicitors from 1995-1997.
Shane holds a Masters in Business Administration, a Master of Laws with first class honours and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the New Zealand High Court in 1995.
While completing his Master of Laws, Shane also taught papers on land law, resource management law, public law and contemporary Treaty issues, intellectual property law, and he was a member of The University of Auckland's Māori academics group, Te Tai Haruru.
Shane joins the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on April 17.