Frank Corner

Frank Corner CMG (b. Wellington, 1920) distinguished New Zealand diplomat. Corner served as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States, before becoming New Zealand's third Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Corner was educated at Victoria University, where he graduated in 1942 with a Master of Arts (First Class) in history, under the guidance of Professor J.C. Beaglehole.

Corner joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1943, as one of its earliest foreign policy officers. Corner was posted first to Washington in 1948, as First Secretary, and then to London in 1952 as Deputy High Commissioner. In 1958, Corner returned to New Zealand as Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

In 1961, Corner became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations, where he chaired the Trusteeship Council for two years, and served on the United Nations Security Council. Corner was the leading proponent of decolonisation of Pacific territories under New Zealand control. Corner provided the leading intellectual arguments in favour of decolonisation of Tokelau, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Western Samoa.

In 1967, Corner moved to Washington, as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States; he held this post until 1972 when he returned to Wellington to take up the role of Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Corner was considered to be very close to Prime Minister Norman Kirk in arguing and advocating for an independent New Zealand foreign policy. Throughout this period, Corner promoted closer political relations with China, an expansion of New Zealand interests in North and Southeast Asia, and a greater role for New Zealand in the South Pacific.

Corner retired from the Foreign Secretary post in 1980. In retirement, he has been active in arts administration, and spent six years on the Council of Victoria University. Corner was awarded an honorary doctorate of Laws in 2005.