Wife of New Zealand's first Privacy Commissioner Sir Bruce Slane died 10 days before him

Sir Bruce Slane died yesterday, 10 days after his wife Lady Penelope died. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

New Zealand's first Privacy Commissioner Sir Bruce Slane died just 10 days after his wife.

Sir Bruce died yesterday, while his wife Lady Penelope died on December 28.

Sir Bruce was Privacy Commissioner from 1992 to 2003. He was knighted in 2009 for services to personal and human rights.

"I am very sad to let you know of the passing of a great and compassionate New Zealander. Mentor, friend, trailblazer RIP Sir Bruce Slane," current Privacy Commissioner John Edwards posted on Twitter.

I am very sad to let you know of the passing of a great and compassionate New Zealander. Mentor, friend, trailblazer RIP Sir Bruce Slane

— John Edwards (@JCE_PC) January 7, 2017

Meanwhile, a death notice in the Herald said Lady Penelope died peacefully surrounded by family on December 28.

"We will miss her love, warmth and wonderful sense of humour."

Another notice said she was a "beautiful lady" who left behind "special memories of years of fun and happy times".