Official Secretary to the Governor or Official Secretary to the Governor-General is an office in the Government House in various British overseas territories and Commonwealth realms. A similar office may be retained in some of the former British territories. In some countries or territories the titles Private Secretary, Personal Secretary or simply Secretary are used instead of Official Secretary. The Official Secretary is usually the general manager of the Government House and may have additional functions. In New Zealand and Canada, e.g., the Official Secretary is a civil service officer from the Prime Minister's Department or Office, but in Australia, the Official Secretary has become a position independent from the government.