Background
Laking was born in Auckland, and educated at Auckland Grammar School, before completing his Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University of Wellington.
diplomatist and public official
Laking was born in Auckland, and educated at Auckland Grammar School, before completing his Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University of Wellington.
Auckland Grammar School, and Auckland and Victoria Universities.
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 United States 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 under Alister McIntosh. Laking was Acting High Commissioner to London from 1958 to 1961.
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 United States. During this time, the key themes were the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the tumultuous years of escalation of United States involvement in Vietnam.
Laking supported New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, and was under pressure from the United States 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 United States interests, supported the move. In 1967, Laking returned to Wellington where he succeeded McIntosh in the posts of and as head of the Prime Minister"s Department. He held these positions his retirement in 1971.
Laking was appointed an Ombudsman in 1975, working under Sir Guy Powles.
In 1977, Laking succeeded Powles as, holding that post until 1984. Laking chaired the government commission which recommended changes in the alcohol licensing laws.
These resulted in the 1989 Sale of Liquor Acting.
Human Rights Commission 1978-1984. Public and Administration Law Reform Committee 1980-1985. Institute Council, Asia Society of New New York
Married Pat Hogg in 1940.