She may not be the most politically correct person around, but Dame Susan Devoy's brother thinks she'll make an excellent Race Relations Commissioner.
One of Tauranga and New Zealand's greatest sporting stars, Dame Susan, DNZM, CBE, was named the country's new Race Relations Commissioner after she was convinced to put her name forward.
Brother Paul Devoy said Dame Susan would bring her straightforward attitude to the job. "She calls a spade a spade and she might have to hold her tongue a few times but she's had a wide range of experience. A lot of people think of her as just from a squash player point of view but she's done a huge amount of things for the community in disabilities and other fields. She's very conscious of the fact people are discriminated against widely. Susan wants to make New Zealand a better place."
New Zealand Human Rights Commission Chief Commissioner David Rutherford said he was delighted at Dame Susan's appointment as she would strengthen the integrity and reputation of the commission.
"Dame Susan is an exceptional New Zealander who has contributed incredibly to the ordinary lives of New Zealanders in her community work, in governance and chief executive roles, most often as a volunteer.
"Her community work has spanned health, disability and community sport."
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Dame Susan has been appointed for five-year term and takes up her new role on April 1, 2013.
Dame Susan could not be reached for comment yesterday.