New Zealand's first Privacy Commissioner Sir Bruce Slane dies

New Zealand's first Privacy Commissioner Sir Bruce Slane has died. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

New Zealand's first Privacy Commissioner Sir Bruce Slane has died.

Current Privacy Commissioner John Edwards posted news of Sir Bruce's death 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," he posted.

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

Labour leader Andrew Little tweeted he was "sad to hear" of Sir Bruces's death.

"Met him a few times as a rookie lawyer & he was always interested in how things were going. He was a great Privacy Cmmr [sic]."

MP Peter Dunne also took to Twitter to express his sadness at Sir Bruce's passing.

"Very sad to hear of death of Sir Bruce Slane - the father of New Zealand privacy law and practice."

Very sad to hear of death of Sir Bruce Slane - the father of New Zealand privacy law and practice

— Peter Dunne (@honpeterdunne) January 7, 2017

His death comes days after that of his wife Lady Penelope, who died on December 28.