New Zealand's Minister of Justice Andrew Little announced on Wednesday that former Cabinet Secretary and Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has been appointed as the next chair of the electoral commission.

The justice minister also announced the appointment of Wellington barrister Jane Meares to the position of deputy chair of the commission. The deputy chair position has been vacant following the resignation of Ms. Kristy McDonald QC in April 2019.

The Electoral Act 1993 established the electoral commission as an independent crown entity and has a constitutionally important role as the guardian of the parliamentary electoral system.

XINHUA