| HE Derek Leask | |
|---|---|
| Leask in 2008 | |
| 25th High Commissioner from New Zealand to the United Kingdom | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office March 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Jonathan Hunt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1948 (age 63–64) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury |
Derek Leask (born 1948) is a New Zealand diplomat, since March 2008 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 (M. Comm, Hons-Economics).[2]
Minster 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]