About the IAPP

Annabel Fordham is Chief Privacy Officer for New Zealand Police and a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in privacy and information law. She leads a small in-house team providing guidance and advice across the organisation of 15,000 staff on a range of operational and policy projects. A key stream of work is contributing to the Emerging Technology working group in reviewing proposals for use of new technology by NZ Police, and reflects the growing role technology has in modern policing contexts.  

In her previous role as Public Affairs Manager at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s Office New Zealand, Annabel directed the public affairs, communications, and media work of the Office. The Office ran public outreach and education programmes and had an active social media presence. Annabel led the development of the national media campaign to herald the introduction of New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020. 

Prior to that, Annabel worked as a senior legal adviser to the Privacy Commissioner, and as executive officer. Annabel’s earlier roles included working as a survey designer for Statistics New Zealand. 

Annabel holds a MA (Hons) in Social Policy, and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) from Massey University, and an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington.