Colin Campbell Aikman (24 August 1919 – 22 December 2002) was a New Zealand public servant, lawyer and diplomat. He was professor of jurisprudence and constitutional law at
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington ( mi, Te Herenga Waka) is a university in Wellington, New Zealand. It was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a constituent college of the University of New Zealand.
The university is well know ...
between 1955 and 1968; first
Vice Chancellor
A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system.
In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor is ...
of the
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public university, public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and ...
in
Suva, Fiji
Suva () is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Divis ...
; and New Zealand's
High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh and Ambassador to Nepal between 1975 and 1978.
He reported on the
Nuremberg trials
The Nuremberg trials were held by the Allies of World War II, Allies against representatives of the defeated Nazi Germany, for plotting and carrying out invasions of other countries, and other crimes, in World War II.
Between 1939 and 1945 ...
for the New Zealand government and spoke for New Zealand at the UN when the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the Human rights, rights and freedoms of all human beings. Drafted by a UN Drafting of the Universal De ...
was adopted.
Aikman was awarded the
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (french: link=no, Médaille du jubilé d'argent de la reine Elizabeth II) is a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952. The medal is p ...
in 1977. In the
1990 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
, for services to law and education.
Aikman's daughter, Helen Aikman (6 December 1955 – 8 January 2012) was a
Queen's Counsel
In the United Kingdom and in some Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries, a King's Counsel (Post-nominal letters, post-nominal initials KC) during the reign of a king, or Queen's Counsel (post-nominal initials QC) during the reign of ...
.
[http://my.lawsociety.org.nz/in-practice/people/obituaries/obituaries-list/helen-mary-aikman-qc-1955-2012]
References
New Zealand diplomats
New Zealand jurists
Vice-chancellors of the University of the South Pacific
Victoria University of Wellington faculty
1919 births
2002 deaths
New Zealand expatriates in Fiji
New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
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