John McKinnon
Encyclopedia
John Walter McKinnon, New Zealand diplomat and public servant.
McKinnon was educated at Nelson College
, Victoria University of Wellington
, and the London School of Economics
. He is the younger brother of former New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and, former Commonwealth Secretary-General
Don McKinnon
; and of Ian McKinnon
, Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington
and the current Deputy Mayor of Wellington City; twin-brother of historian and New Zealand international relations expert Malcolm McKinnon
; and, the son of Major-General Walter McKinnon, a one time Chief of General Staff and Chairman of New Zealand Broadcasting.
McKinnon joined the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1974, and was posted to Beijing as second secretary in 1978. In 1985, he was posted to Washington as First Secretary, then to Canberra as Counsellor in 1986.
In 1992, McKinnon became New Zealand’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
in New York and was the only senior New Zealand diplomat to preside over the entirety of New Zealand's third tenure on the United Nations Security Council
(1993-1994). On returning to Wellington in 1995 he become Director of the External Assessments Bureau
. In 2001, McKinnon became New Zealand’s Ambassador to Beijing
.
McKinnon has been Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs since 2004, responsible for international politics and security (Programme One). Coupled with his previous role running one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies, he is considered an expert in international security. In October 2006, the Government announced that he would succeed Graham Fortune as New Zealand’s Secretary of Defence.
McKinnon was educated at Nelson College
Nelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
, Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, and the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. He is the younger brother of former New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and, former Commonwealth Secretary-General
Commonwealth Secretary-General
The Commonwealth Secretary-General is the head of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the central body which has served the Commonwealth of Nations since its establishment in 1965, and responsible for representing the Commonwealth publicly...
Don McKinnon
Don McKinnon
Sir Donald Charles "Don" McKinnon, ONZ, GCVO is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. He was the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2000 until 2008.-Early life:...
; and of Ian McKinnon
Ian McKinnon
Ian Duncan McKinnon, QSO, JP, is a New Zealand educator and local politician, serving presently as Deputy Mayor on Wellington City Council.-Teacher administrator:Ian McKinnon, BCom, DipEd, began his teaching career at King's College, Auckland...
, Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
and the current Deputy Mayor of Wellington City; twin-brother of historian and New Zealand international relations expert Malcolm McKinnon
Malcolm McKinnon
Malcolm McKinnon is a New Zealand historian. He taught at Victoria University of Wellington 1975-1990 and his since worked independently as an historian...
; and, the son of Major-General Walter McKinnon, a one time Chief of General Staff and Chairman of New Zealand Broadcasting.
McKinnon joined the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1974, and was posted to Beijing as second secretary in 1978. In 1985, he was posted to Washington as First Secretary, then to Canberra as Counsellor in 1986.
In 1992, McKinnon became New Zealand’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in New York and was the only senior New Zealand diplomat to preside over the entirety of New Zealand's third tenure on the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
(1993-1994). On returning to Wellington in 1995 he become Director of the External Assessments Bureau
External Assessments Bureau
The National Assessments Bureau is one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies. It was formerly known as the External Assessments Bureau when it was renamed as its current status in 2010...
. In 2001, McKinnon became New Zealand’s Ambassador to Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
McKinnon has been Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs since 2004, responsible for international politics and security (Programme One). Coupled with his previous role running one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies, he is considered an expert in international security. In October 2006, the Government announced that he would succeed Graham Fortune as New Zealand’s Secretary of Defence.