Thomas Cedric Larkin ONZM (17 November 1917 – 17 August 2021) was a New Zealand public servant and diplomat, serving as New Zealand ambassador to Japan between 1972 and 1976. He also played representative cricket for Taranaki in the 1930s.
Tom Larkin | |
|---|---|
| Ambassador of New Zealand to Japan | |
| In office 1972–1976 | |
| Preceded by | Hunter Wade |
| Succeeded by | Rod Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Cedric Larkin 17 November 1917 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 17 August 2021 (aged 103) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Spouse |
Sarah Marianne Williams
(m. 1970; died 2018) |
| Relatives | Tom Larkin (son) |
| Education | New Plymouth Boys' High School |
| Alma mater | Victoria University College |
Early life and family
editBorn in Wellington on 17 November 1917, Larkin was the son of Herbert James Larkin and Irene Mary O'Connor.[1][2] He was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School, and went on to study at Victoria University College, graduating Master of Arts with second-class honours in 1940.[1][3] While at Victoria, Larkin represented the university at rugby union.[4]
Between 1941 and 1945, Larkin served in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve.[1]
On 28 November 1970, Larkin married Sarah Marianne Williams.[1] Their three children include the musician Tom Larkin.[5][6]
Cricket
editA left-hand batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler,[7] Larkin played Hawke Cup cricket for Taranaki between 1934 and 1939.[8] While playing for the New Plymouth Boys' High School 1st XI in 1936, Larkin and Martin Donnelly shared a record partnership of 234 that stood until 1965.[9]
As an 18-year-old, Larkin played for Taranaki in their two-day match against the touring MCC team, scoring six and four runs, respectively, in his two innings, and bowling two overs without success.[10] In 1946, he represented Wellington, but did not appear in any first-class matches.[11] He also played for the New Zealand Universities team while he was a student at Victoria University College, and was awarded a cricket blue.[1][12]
Career
editLarkin joined the Department of External Affairs in 1946.[12] In 1953, he served as official secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra, and was the New Zealand ambassador to Japan from 1972 to 1976.[1] The remainder of his career was spent based in Wellington.[12] He was a New Zealand delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 1948–1949, 1952, 1956–1958, and 1968, and attended the Suez Canal Conference in 1956.[1]
Particularly interested in Asian and Japanese affairs, Larkin wrote books on the subject, including New Zealand and Japan in the post-war world, published in 1969,[13] and Japan today (1983).[14]
Later life and death
editIn the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Larkin was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to New Zealand–Japan relations.[15] He was also awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.[2]
Larkin was predeceased by his wife, Sarah, in 2018.[5] He died in Wellington on 17 August 2021, aged 103.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Traue, J. E., ed. (1978). Who's Who in New Zealand (11th ed.). Wellington: Reed. p. 166. ISBN 0-589-01113-8.
- ^ a b c "Thomas Larkin death notice". Taranaki Daily News. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: L". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "University match". Evening Post. Vol. 126, no. 24. 28 July 1938. p. 23. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Sarah Williams death notice". New Zealand Herald. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ Smithies, Grant (21 August 2021). "Shihad: hear the anger, and the love". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Tom Larkin". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Hawke Cup matches played by Tom Larkin". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ Watson, Mike (24 April 2021). "School's cricket history reveals recurring pattern among outstanding players". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Taranaki v Marylebone Cricket Club". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Miscellaneous matches played by Tom Larkin". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Interview with Thomas Cedric Larkin". National Library of New Zealand. 2–3 July 1987. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ New Zealand and Japan in the post-war world. New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. 1969.
- ^ Japan today. Asia Pacific Economic News. 1983.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2008". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2021.