Dame Susan Elizabeth Anne Devoy DNZM CBE (born 4 January 1964)[1] is a New Zealand former squash player and senior public servant.

[4] She began playing in tournaments when she was nine and turned professional at the age of 17 after leaving MacKillop College halfway through her final year.

[citation needed] In 1992, the year of her unexpected retirement, she was the Australian, British, French, Hong Kong, Irish, New Zealand, Scottish, Swedish and World squash champion.

[22][23] During her first few weeks in office, Devoy was criticised for refusing to comment on a number of race-related controversies, including a tirade against Chinese immigrants by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

[26] She said NZ First leader Winston Peters' retelling of Arthur Calwell's comment that "two Wongs don't make a White" was "outdated rhetoric" with "no place in New Zealand's future".

[35] Devoy also called on Prime Minister John Key to meet with New Zealand Muslim leaders as tensions in the Middle East continued to rise.

[38] Māori New Zealander Rikki Hooper was humiliated while shopping in her supermarket,[39] while Muslims and Jews have also criticised abuse and attacks[40][41][42][43][44] as have rugby players in Canterbury[45] and taxi drivers in Southland.

[47][48][49] In the wake of the November 2015 Paris attacks, Devoy and Hazim Arafeh, president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, released a joint statement condemning violent extremism and "standing alongside all innocent victims of terrorism in peace, solidarity and humanity.

"[50][51] Following the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, Devoy called on New Zealanders to listen to the voices of vulnerable people, challenge hate, and "stand up for human rights by letting Muslim Kiwis know that you've got their back.

[56] In 2007, she appeared on Like Minds, Like Mine TV commercials in New Zealand to counter the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.