George Laking

Sir George Robert Laking KCMG
2nd New Zealand Chief Ombudsman
In office 1977–1984
Preceded by	Guy Powles
Succeeded by	Lester Castle
Personal details
Born	15 October 1912
Died	10 January 2008
Alma mater	LLB, Victoria University of Wellington

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.

Laking was born in Auckland, and educated at Auckland Grammar School, before completing his LLB at Victoria University College. 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.

In 1949, Laking was appointed Minister to the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, serving as deputy to Ambassador Carl Berendsen, 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.

...
Wikipedia