Lester Castle

Lester John Castle CMG (13 July 1921 – 26 November 1986) was the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand from 1984 to 1986. In this role, he was responsible for investigating complaints against central and local government agencies, including Ministers of the Crown.^[1]

Lester Castle CMG
3rd New Zealand Chief Ombudsman
In office 1984–1986
Preceded by	Sir George Laking
Succeeded by	John Robertson
Personal details
Born	Lester John Castle (1921-07-13)13 July 1921 Wellington, New Zealand
Died	26 November 1986(1986-11-26) (aged 65) Wellington, New Zealand

Biography

Castle was born in Wellington in 1921.^[2] He was the son of Sydney Castle, also a lawyer,^[3] and attended Christ's College, Christchurch and Victoria University College, graduating LLB in 1947.^[2]

He became a Wellington solicitor, Council member and President of both Wellington Law Society and the New Zealand Law Society. He was appointed an ombudsman in 1977, and Chief Ombudsman in 1984, holding this position until his death in Wellington on 26 November 1986.^[1][4]

Honours

Castle was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1977 Queen's Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours,^[5] and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal the same year.^[4]