George Laking
Encyclopedia
Sir George Robert Laking, KCMG, (15 October 1912 – 10 January 2008) was a New Zealand
diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
, Ambassador to the United States
, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman
.
, and educated at Auckland Grammar School
, before completing his LLB at Victoria University of Wellington
. He started working in the New Zealand Customs Department in 1929, before moving to the Prime Minister's Department in the fledgling Foreign Ministry. In 1940, Laking became head of the Organisation for National Security, managing the War Cabinet Secretariat, a post he held until 1948.
, for seven years. During this time, Laking was frequently the main point of contact between New Zealand and the US administration, owing to Berendsen's substantial involvement in the establishment of the United Nations
as Permanent Representative to that organisation.
Laking returned to Wellington in 1956, following the death of deputy secretary Foss Shanahan
, to act as Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs under Alister McIntosh
. Laking was Acting High Commissioner to London from 1958 to 1961.
, the tumultuous years of escalation of US involvement in Vietnam
. Laking supported New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, and was under pressure from the US Government for New Zealand to send combat troops to the conflict. McIntosh was less supportive of the idea, but Defence Chiefs in Wellington, with the notable exception of Defence Secretary Jack Hunn
, and politicians unwilling to offend US interests, supported the move.
In 1967, Laking returned to Wellington to take up the post of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and head of the Prime Minister's Department, succeeding McIntosh, until his retirement in 1971. On his retirement, he was made a CMG
.
in 1975, working under Sir Guy Powles
. In 1977, Laking succeeded Powles as Chief Ombudsman, holding that post until 1984. He was knighted that year.
Laking chaired the government commission which recommended changes in the alcohol licensing laws. These resulted in the 1989 Sale of Liquor Act.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ambassador to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman
New Zealand Chief Ombudsman
New Zealand's Chief Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand on recommendation of the House of Representatives to oversee investigation of complaints against government departments, and report, with recommendations, to Parliament.The post of Ombudsman was established in New...
.
Early life
Laking was born in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, and educated at Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School
Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...
, before completing his LLB at Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
. He started working in the New Zealand Customs Department in 1929, before moving to the Prime Minister's Department in the fledgling Foreign Ministry. In 1940, Laking became head of the Organisation for National Security, managing the War Cabinet Secretariat, a post he held until 1948.
Early postings
In 1949, Laking was appointed Minister to the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, serving as deputy to Ambassador Carl BerendsenCarl Berendsen
Sir Carl August Berendsen KCMG was a New Zealand civil servant and diplomat. He was the creator of the Department of External Affairs, and collaborated with Michael Joseph Savage. He was Secretary for External Affairs 1928-32, Head of the Prime Minister's Department 1932-43, and Secretary of the...
, for seven years. During this time, Laking was frequently the main point of contact between New Zealand and the US administration, owing to Berendsen's substantial involvement in the establishment of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
as Permanent Representative to that organisation.
Laking returned to Wellington in 1956, following the death of deputy secretary Foss Shanahan
Foss Shanahan
Foss Shanahan was a New Zealand diplomat and public servant. He started in the Customs Department in 1928, then in 1939 joined the Prime Minister’s Department, in the section that became the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.He was Assistant Secretary of the War Cabinet 1940-45,...
, to act as Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs under Alister McIntosh
Alister McIntosh
Sir Alister Donald Miles McIntosh, KCMG , was a New Zealand diplomat. McIntosh was New Zealand's first secretary of foreign affairs, and is widely considered to be the father of New Zealand's independent foreign policy and architect of the ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand.-Early...
. Laking was Acting High Commissioner to London from 1958 to 1961.
Ambassador to Washington
Laking was based in Washington as Ambassador to the United States from 1961 to 1967. This was considered to be the most important of New Zealand's foreign postings, due to the prominence of the United States, and the shift of allegiance away from the United Kingdom towards the US. During this time, the key themes were the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and under President Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
, the tumultuous years of escalation of US involvement in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Laking supported New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, and was under pressure from the US Government for New Zealand to send combat troops to the conflict. McIntosh was less supportive of the idea, but Defence Chiefs in Wellington, with the notable exception of Defence Secretary Jack Hunn
Jack Hunn
Sir Jack Kent Hunn KCMG was a New Zealand civil servant. Hunn served as Secretary of Defence, Secretary of Maori Affairs, Secretary of Justice, and Chairman of the Fire Service Commission.-Early life:...
, and politicians unwilling to offend US interests, supported the move.
In 1967, Laking returned to Wellington to take up the post of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and head of the Prime Minister's Department, succeeding McIntosh, until his retirement in 1971. On his retirement, he was made a CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
.
Chief Ombudsman
Laking was appointed an OmbudsmanNew Zealand Chief Ombudsman
New Zealand's Chief Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand on recommendation of the House of Representatives to oversee investigation of complaints against government departments, and report, with recommendations, to Parliament.The post of Ombudsman was established in New...
in 1975, working under Sir Guy Powles
Guy Powles
Sir Guy Richardson Powles, ONZ, KBE, CMG . New Zealand diplomat, last Governor of Western Samoa and architect of Samoan independence, and first Ombudsman.-Early life:...
. In 1977, Laking succeeded Powles as Chief Ombudsman, holding that post until 1984. He was knighted that year.
Laking chaired the government commission which recommended changes in the alcohol licensing laws. These resulted in the 1989 Sale of Liquor Act.