Norman Kirk

Born, 1923, Waimate

Died, Wellington, 1974, aged 51

Labour Party Prime Minister from 8 December 1972 to 31.August 1974.

Norman Kirk was born at Waimate, Canterbury on 6 January 1923. He was went to Waimate Primary School and left school at the age of 12. He worked for the railways for several years and at the age of 20 married Ruth Miller. Kirk moved to Kaiapoi in 1948 where he bought a section and built his own house, including digging a 70 foot well by hand.

Kirk joined the Labour Party in 1943 and in 1953 was elected the youngest Mayor in New Zealand at 30 years old. As Mayor he introduced many local improvements which gave him profile outside the district. He stood for Parliament in Hurunui in 1954 and lost, but was elected MP for Lyttelton in 1957.

He stood for Labour Deputy Leader in 1962 but lost to Hugh Watt. However in 1963 he was elected President of the NZ Labour Party. After Labour lost in 1963 Kirk challenged Nordmeyer for the Leadership and won it in December 1965. His rise to the top position was after only seven years in Parliament and with no Cabinet experience. He also was unique in being President and Leader at the same time.

Labour and Kirk lost the 1966 and 1969 elections. However a much more united Labour Party and union movement were successful in 1972 in toppling National and Kirk became Prime Minister of the 3^rd Labour Government.

Kirk in Government excelled in international affairs and recognised the People’s Republic of China which symbolised his departure from the foreign policy of the previous decades. He cancelled the South African Springbok rugby tour and protested against French Nuclear Testing at Mururoa. He also formed strong ties with black Africa, Asia and the Pacific and was a dominant force in the Commonwealth.

His death on 31 August 1974 came as a huge shock to New Zealand.

Kirk was only the 5^th New Zealand Premier or Prime Minister to die in office.