Derek Leask

New Zealand diplomat

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His Excellency

Derek Leask

Leask in 2008

25th High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom
In office
March 2008 – February 2013
Preceded by| Jonathan Hunt
Succeeded by| Alexander Lockwood Smith
Personal details
Born| 1948 (age 75-76)
Wellington, New Zealand
Alma mater| Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury

Derek Leask (born 1948) is a New Zealand diplomat. From March 2008 to February 2013, he was the High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom, and concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Ireland and High Commissioner to Nigeria. Leask is a career diplomat, who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969. Before becoming Commissioner, he was Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington. He served as Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels from 1994 to 1999, and was earlier posted to Suva, Ottawa and London, between 1985 and 1989.[1]

Leask was born in Wellington, and has degrees from Victoria University of Wellington (BCA), and the University of Canterbury (MComm, Hons-Economics).[2]

## High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

[edit]

Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters announced Leask would be the next High Commissioner in London on 22 November 2007, succeeding Jonathan Hunt.[1] As High Commissioner, Leask attended the service for Edmund Hillary at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on 2 April 2008.[2]

## Enquiry and vindication

[edit]

Starting in 2012, Leask was connected to the leaking of documents from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. An inquiry led by Paula Rebstock was later found to be "flawed" in its dealings with Leask by an Ombudsman's report by Ron Paterson, which recommended Leask be paid legal costs and compensation.[3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Peters names High Commissioner to London". New Zealand Government. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
2. ^ a b "His Excellency Mr Derek Leask". Diplomat. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
3. ^ "Derek Leask 'vindicated' by clearance". The New Zealand Herald. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* New Zealand High Commission website

Diplomatic posts

Preceded by

Jonathan Hunt

|  High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom
2008–2013  | Succeeded by

Lockwood Smith