Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Date: 1971

Reference: B-175-013

Description: Shows a row of clapping hands at the bottom of 12 credits which read left to right and top to bottom - 'The crunch', 'Starring Jack Marshall', 'Produced by the N.Z. Cabinet Economic Committee', 'Technical advisers H.C. Lang, G.R. Laking', 'Sound by N.Kirk', 'Boom operator R. Muldoon', Special effects by Socred', 'Costumes by Woolmark', 'Wigs by Whoosit', 'Cows by the Dairy Board', 'Directed by P.M. Holyoake', 'An E.E.C Production'. Refers to New Zealand's economic welfare when Britain joined the EEC. Jack Marshall spent years lobbying for an assurance that special arrangements to maintain free and unrestricted entry for New Zealand products to the British market would be obtained by the British government before it accepted the Treaty of Rome. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink drawing on card 390 x 470 mm

Date: 1938-1960

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-067

Description: Portraits of women, made between 1938 and 1960, for publication in the New Zealand Free Lance. Includes photographs of: Mrs J R Haldane (President of the W D F U); Mrs H T Hanlon; Mrs H Hanmer; Maide Hann; Edith Hanley; Paula Hanger; Nancy Hanlin; F H Hanbury; Helen Hampton; Mrs Joan Hamilton; Mrs J A Hanan; Mrs Phyllis Halberg; Mrs Halberg (Senior); Peggy Hamilton; Dorothy Hamilton (Principal of the Dominion School for Dental Nurses, Wellington); F Hackett, Mrs Hackett and G R Laking; and Eileen Hannah (Greymouth's Navy Queen). Quantity: 20 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Date: 8 December 1997

From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project

By: Aikman, Stuart, active 1963-1997

Reference: OHInt-0811-01

Description: Oral history interview with Stuart Aikman, former Senior Investigating Officer of the Office of the Ombudsman. Discusses his work as British Colonial Officer in East Africa. Details the structure of the Office from 1963 to 1983. Discusses the role of an Investigating Officer. Talks about the education initiatives employed to better inform the public on the role of the Office - discusses different attempts to publicise the Office. Talks about the various pressures of the workplace. Comments on the different personalities of the successive Ombudsmen. Discusses the development of the Official Information Act 1982 - talks about the responsibilities the Office acquired as part of the Act. Talks about the Office's relations with the New Zealand Police during his time there - details the Office's jurisdiction over the Police. Discusses the Office's interaction with the Public Service - refers to personal contact with ministers and CEOs. Mentions Sir Guy Powles and Sir George Laking. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Accompanying material - Interview questions Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014907 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 0.13 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5394. Search dates: 1997

Date: 12 December 1997

From: Office of the Ombudsman oral history project

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Reference: OHInt-0811-03

Description: Oral history interview with Sir George Laking, Chief Ombudsman from April 1977 to October 1984. Talks about growing up in Auckland - details schooling at Auckland Grammar School, Auckland University and Victoria University of Wellington. Discusses his acceptance into the Public Service - talks about his work for the Customs Department, Prime Minister's Department, Organisation of National Security, War Cabinet Secretariat, and the Department of External Affairs upon its creation in 1943. Discusses his international work in the government sector from 1948 to 1967 - details his time as Counsellor of External Affairs, Acting High Commissioner in London, and Ambassador to Washington. Talks about his role as Secretary of External Affairs upon returning to New Zealand. Discusses his appointment as Ombudsman in 1975, and Chief Ombudsman in 1977. Discusses attitudes towards the Office of the Ombudsman - mentions Sir Guy Powels and A. Eaton Hurley. Discusses relations between the Office and the Prime Minister, Ministers and Heads of Departments during his time as Ombudsman - mentions Keith Holyoake, Sir Robert Muldoon, Jim Bolger and the New Zealand Police. Talks about his involvement in the Office's investigation of the Springbok Tour - refers to the creation of the Police Complaints Authority. Talks about the Office's acquisition of the Wanganui Computer privacy work in 1977. Details his involvement with the Human Rights Commission. Mentions Chief Ombudsman Lester Castle. Discusses the development of the Official Information Act 1982 - details his involvement in this process. Talks about the Commissioner of Police vs Ombusman case of 1988 - details the court proceedings. Discusses his management of the Office during his time as Chief Ombudsman. Accompanying material - Copy of transcribed interview Interviewer(s) - Bryan Gilling Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.13 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5396. Search dates: 1997

Date: 5 Jun-26 Jun 1987

From: NZOHA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oral History Project, 1987

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Reference: OHInt-0176/01

Description: Sir George Laking was born in Auckland in 1912. Personal details of his early life and work are recorded in the Customs Department oral history project (OHInt-0101/08). Describes his transfer from Customs to the Organisation for National Security in 1940. Describes the role of Foss Shanahan in the transfer and talks about his abilities. Notes that the American requirement for security facilities during World War II resulted in the Organisation for National Security, which was part of the Prime Minister's Department. Describes attitudes in New Zealand during wartime particularly in terms of a possible Japanese invasion. Talks about Sir Carl Berendsen and contrasts him with Sir Alister McIntosh. Describes the role of Sir Walter Nash on the Pacific War Council at the White House and comments that Berendsen and Nash made an impact on the international scene. Talks about working with Peter Fraser in the absence of Alister McIntosh and Foss Shanahan. Lists the establishment of External Affairs overseas posts and the difficulty in persuading the government of the value of overseas representation. Discusses the Enabling Act (of the Department of External Affairs) 1943. Describes the work of J.V. Wilson in building up a core of professional people in the Department. Discusses the development of New Zealand's foreign policy and the preoccupation with trade and military security. Describes travelling throughout the Pacific with Peter Fraser in 1944 and 1945 and the effect on Pacific Island nations. Talks about the transition from League of Nations to United Nations and the issue of the future of mandated territories. Comments on the British attitude to New Zealand's increasing sense of responsibility in the Pacific. Summarises New Zealand's situation in the late 1940s as trading still primarily with Britain but depending on the USA for security. Talks about External Affairs personnel Frank Corner, Tom Larkin, Charles Craw and Malcolm Templeton. Describes being the Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington from 1949 to 1956. Discusses the New Zealand-US relationship at this stage, the role of Australia and the domino theory. Comments on Sir Carl Berendsen's relationship with Sir Sidney Holland and Peter Fraser. Talks about Holland's effect on the Department of External Affairs and his emphasis on the relationship with Britain. Discusses ANZUS, the 1951 Japanese peace treaty and SEATO. Talks about Sir Clifton Webb and Sir Leslie Munro. Describes being Acting High Commissioner to London from 1958-1961. Notes that this was the period of the beginning of the British approach to the European Economic Community (EEC). Describes a visit from C.F. Skinner who was sent by Sir Walter Nash to deal with access for New Zealand butter and meat. Discusses his period of ambasssadorship to Washington from 1961-1967. Comments on the key events of the period which were McCarthyism, the Cuban missile crisis and the assassination of John F Kennedy. Discusses Sir Keith Holyoake, Sir Jack Marshall and Norman Kirk. Talks about the New Zealand recognition of China in 1972 and the role of Ray La Varis in attempting to establish trade. Talks about relations between Australia and New Zealand including the relationship between Departments. Discusses Lyndon Baines Johnson and his desire not to be involved in Vietnam, Sir Keith Holyoake and visits to Saigon. Describes the relationship between the Department and politicians and comments on the importance of trade commissioners. Recalls the siginificance of the Officials Economic Committee of the 1950s and 1960s in establishing the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Comments on the role of Lloyd White. Explains the role of a diplomat and assesses his own contribution to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Venue - Wellington : 1987 Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Venue - Sir George Laking's home in Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001468; OHC-001469; OHC-001470; OHC-001471; OHC-001472; OHC-001473 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 6 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 229. Search dates: 1987

Date: 7 April 1984

From: NZOHA Customs Department Oral History Project Part II

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Reference: OHInt-0101/08

Description: Sir George Laking was born in Auckland in 1912. Notes that his personal details are recorded in the Customs Department oral history project (OHInt-0176/01). Describes transferring from Customs to the Organisation for National Security, in the Prime Minister's Office, in 1940. Talks about the role of Foss Shanahan in this transfer. Talks about his early death and the significance of his role in the Department of External Affairs, Cabinet Secretariat, civil aviation and in the immigration of Polish refugee children. Describes the work of the Organisation for National Security. Comments on the atmosphere in New Zealand particularly concerning possible Japanese invasion. Describes Sir Carl Berendsen and contrasts him with Sir Alister McIntosh. Talks about the role of Deputy Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash during the war. Notes that he was part of the Pacific War Council and that he and Berendsen were New Zealanders making an impact internationally. Talks about working with Peter Fraser in the absence of Shanahan or McIntosh. Lists External Affairs posts and describes the development of overseas representation. Mentions the Enabling Act (of the Department of External Affairs) in 1943. Discusses the role of J.V. Wilson in developing a core of professional people in the Department. Describes travelling the Pacific with Peter Fraser in 1944 and 1945 and the impact this had on Pacific Island nations. Comments on the New Zealand regime in Western Samoa. Discusses issues facing the United Nations including the future of its mandated territories. Comments on Fraser's influence on trusteeship for Western Samoa. Discusses NZ's changing relationships with Britain and the United States, particularly regarding its Pacific role and security. Talks about the development of the Department and staff members Frank Corner, Colin Aikman, Tom Larkin, Charles Craw and Malcolm Templeton. Discusses the time he spent as Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington from 1949 to 1956. Talks about working relationships with Dean Aicheson and John Foster Dulles. Describes the key events during his period in the States as McCarthyism, the Cuban missile crisis and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Discusses the domino theory and southeast Asia. Talks about the government under Sir Sidney Holland from 1949 to 1957 and its emphasis on New Zealand's relationship with Britain. Discusses New Zealand's relationship with Australia and the development of ANZUS and SEATO. Comments on Sir Leslie Munro as Ambassador to Washington. Describes being Acting High Commissioner in London from 1958 to 1961, at the beginning of the British approach to the European Economic Community (EEC). Mentions C F Skinner visiting from New Zealand to make a case for preferential treatment for New Zealand butter and meat. Describes returning to the United States as Ambassador to Washington from 1961 to 1967. Discusses American and New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, Lyndon Baines Johnson, visiting Saigon and the role of the CIA. Comments on Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake, Sir Jack Marshall and Norman Kirk. Discusses New Zealand's recognition of China in 1972 and Ray La Varis' role in setting up trade. Summarises the evolving relationship with Britain, the USA, South-east Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. Discusses Vietnam, the UN charter, the veto, UN trusteeship, Western Samoa, the Korean War and and the EEC. Describes New Zealand involvement with the Australia and New Zealand agreement 1944, South Pacific Commission 1947, ANZUS, SEATO 1954, the Colombo Plan, ASPAC and ASEAN. Explains the role of a diplomat and assesses his own contribution. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Judith Fyfe Venue - Ombudsman's Office, The Terrace, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000500, 000504, 000504A, 000505A Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-0094. Search dates: 1984

Date: 22 and 29 Nov 1979 (broadcast)

From: Radio New Zealand Looking Back programmes

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008; Ovenden, Keith William, 1943-2023

Reference: OHInt-0040/07

Description: George Laking, the Chief Ombudsman, talks of his early years in the Prime Minister's Department and describes such personalities as Alister McIntosh, Secretary of External Affairs from 1943 to 1966, and Carl Berendsen, permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department from 1932 to 1943 and ambassador to the United States from 1944 to 1948. Describes his role as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department, positions he held from 1967 to 1972. Interviewer(s) - Keith Ovenden Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-000331 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.08 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - no abstract(s) available. Search dates: 1979

Date: [ca 1929-1960]

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

By: Koppel, Irene, 1914-2004

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-109

Description: Mainly portraits, with some other photographs included, published (or considered for publication) in the New Zealand Free Lance, ca 1930s-1950s. All have names recorded on the back and most have date/dates of publication. Names of most of the identified subjects entered in Name field. Quantity: 117 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Date: 1986-1990

From: Wards, Ian McLean, 1920-2003 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11631-171

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1944-1946]

From: Campbell, Mary Greig, 1907-1989 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6748-17

Description: Forms, Government department correspondence and forms, NPFB and other papers; includes several lists of equipment and supplies required by FAU personnel Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 28 Sep 1992 to 11 Nov 1992

From: Ministry of External Relations and Trade 50th anniversary oral history project

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Reference: OHInt-0732-03

Description: Interview with George Laking, born in Onehunga in 1912. This material was also covered in an interview in 1984 for the NZOHA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oral History Project. Recalls the early history of the Department of External Affairs, its early close association with the Prime Minister's Department, and its relationship with other government agencies during and after World War Two. Comments that the department had a focus on defence and security issues as a result of its close association with the Prime Minister's Department, but that the focus gradually shifted to economic issues. Talks about the involvement of prime ministers Peter Fraser, Walter Nash, Sid Holland and Keith Holyoake in the appointment of key diplomats and their interest in foreign affairs. Recalls the expansion of overseas posts in the 1950s including Ottawa, Paris, Bonn and Japan. Refers to the effect of the Vietnam war on attitudes within New Zealand regarding foreign policy matters. Comments on the increased emphasis on environmental, political and security issues. Refers to the political view after the War that trade commissioners were the only overseas representation needed by New Zealand and the time it took for integration of diplomatic and trade personnel. Discusses his involvement with Keith Holyoake's mission to London in 1957 and changes in trade relations with Britain. Mentions Walter Nash's visit to Europe in 1960 and New Zealand's need for permanent representation in countries of the European Common Market. Discusses changes in New Zealand's involvement in Asia and Southeast Asia in the 1950s, the United Nations intervention in Korea, the establishment of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organisation), the confrontation with Indonesia in 1964, and the war in Vietnam. Refers to the change in attitude to China towards the end of the 1960s, leading to the recognition of China in 1972. Comments on the establishment of the ANZUS Treaty in 1951. Refers to the "so-called nuclear debate" and its effect on the Ministry's work. Talks about relations between successive New Zealand and Australian Prime Ministers from the 1940s, and the growing sense of interdependence between the two countries. Mentions the Canberra Pact (1944), the establishment of the South Pacific Commission in 1947, and New Zealand's relationships with Pacific island territories. Mentions attending the last League of Nations meeting in Geneva in 1946, the United Nations Visiting Mission to Western Samoa, and his role in explaining the New Zealand government's position on self-government for Niue, Cook Islands and Tokelau to the United Nations. Refers to New Zealand's role in decolonisation after World War 2 through the United Nations and the UN Trusteeship Council. Contents: Printed abstract accompanied by lists of names mentioned on each tape Interviewer(s) - Bruce Brown Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016266 - OHC-016270 Quantity: 5 C64 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 7 interview(s). 5.07 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5912, OHDL-000072. Search dates: 1992

Date: [ca 2013-2014]

From: Day, Melvin Norman, 1923-2016: Collection

Reference: MS-Papers-12414-19

Description: Material relating to portraits painted by Day of various people. Includes colour photocopies of the portraits, some correspondence, and information about the location or ownership of the paintings. Also inlcudes a programme for 2006 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performance 'Parsifal', and some photocopies of a landscape by Day. Title taken from original enclosure. Arrangement: The contents of this item were received by the Library in a folder containing clear plastic sleeves, the order of the material in the folder has been retained, acidfree paper has been inserted to replicate the groupings of papers in the plastic sleeves. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Processing information: The contents of each plastic sleeve have been rehoused with a folded sheet of acidfree paper, one per sleeve, and the label information on the sleeves has been photocopied and included. The sleeves have been disposed of. One sleeve was empty so there is a photocopy of the label but no contents. Some sleeves did not have labels. Some loose material was also inside the folder without being in a sleeve.

Date: [ca 2013-2014]

From: Day, Melvin Norman, 1923-2016: Collection

Reference: MS-Papers-12414-18

Description: Material relating to portraits painted by Day of various people. Includes colour photocopies of the portraits, some correspondence, and information about the location or ownership of the paintings. Title taken from original enclosure. Arrangement: The contents of this item were received by the Library in a folder containing clear plastic sleeves, the order of the material in the folder has been retained, acid-free paper has been inserted to replicate the groupings of papers in the plastic sleeves. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Processing information: The contents of each plastic sleeve have been rehoused with a folded sheet of acid-free paper, one per sleeve, and the label information on the sleeves has been photocopied and included. The sleeves have been disposed of. One sleeve was empty so there is a photocopy of the label but no contents. Some sleeves did not have labels. Some loose material was also inside the folder without being in a sleeve.

Date: [ca 1959-1964]

From: Curnow, Thomas Allen Monro, 1911-2001 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-2402-06

Description: Inward and outward correspondence; identified persons entered under Name below. Also includes programmes for CAS productions; letters to Mus, Jim, Bernard; Dick (possibly Hollyer); Budge; Gordon; Bob; letters from the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Wellington; Chic re New Zealand plays; correspondence with Ron (possibly Barker or Mason), Dunedin; Tom, University of Pennsylvania; and questionnaire with responses regarding Curnow's work as a writer and a university employee etc. Other Titles - Modern test for obscenity Finding Aids: Inventory available.

Date: [ca 1920-1990]

From: Bassett, Michael Edward Rainton (Dr), 1938- : Further papers

Reference: 2000-094-2

Description: Research notes compiled by Michael King on Fraser's career in the 1930s and 1940s, including notes on health, education, foreign affairs and the Polish children, 1944. Also transcripts of interviews made by King in the course of his research with Sir Alister McIntosh, Lady Dorothy McIntosh, Sir Arnold Nordmeyer, Sir George Laking, Sir John White, Dr C Beeby, Noel Pharazyn and Dr Martyn Finlay. Quantity: 1 box(es). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter

Date: 1964-1965

From: McIntosh, Alister Donald (Sir), 1906-1978 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6759-300

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts

Date: 1950-1955

From: McIntosh, Alister Donald (Sir), 1906-1978 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6759-294

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts

Date: 1955-1958

From: McIntosh, Alister Donald (Sir), 1906-1978 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6759-295

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts

Date: [ca 1943-2000]

By: Laking, George Robert (Sir), 1912-2008

Reference: MS-Group-0640

Description: Contains Laking's papers relating to his work for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Ombudsman, Human Rights Commission and other committees. Edited transcripts of two interviews of Sir George by Dr Roberto Rabel relating to New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War. Also transcripts of interviews by Bruce Brown. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 13 box(es) (165 issuable items). 15 folder(s). 3 volume(s). 4.60 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescript and printed matter Finding Aids: Preliminary list available. Transfers: Photograph albums and prints are at ATL-Group-00440. Processing information: Access restrictions removed 7 September 2022.

Date: 1946-1949

From: McIntosh, Alister Donald (Sir), 1906-1978 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-6759-293

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts