Jump to content

1975 New Zealand general election: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Reverted Visual edit
No edit summary
 
(32 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|General election in New Zealand}}
{{Short description|General election in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1975 New Zealand general election
| election_name = 1975 New Zealand general election
| country = New Zealand
| country = New Zealand
| type = parliamentary
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1972 New Zealand general election
| previous_election = 1972 New Zealand general election
| previous_year = 1972
| previous_year = 1972
| previous_members = 37th New Zealand Parliament
| next_election = 1978 New Zealand general election
| next_year = 1978
| next_election = 1978 New Zealand general election
| seats_for_election = 87 seats in the [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]]
| next_year = 1978
| majority_seats = 44
| next_members = 39th New Zealand Parliament
| election_date = {{start date|1975|11|29|df=y}}
| seats_for_election = All 87 seats for [[New Zealand House of Representatives]] <br /> 44 seats were needed for a majority
| elected_mps = [[38th New Zealand Parliament|elected members]]
| election_date = {{start date|1975|11|29|df=y}}
| turnout = 1,603,733 (82.11%) {{decrease}}
| elected_mps = [[38th New Zealand Parliament|elected members]]
| turnout =

<!-- National -->
<!-- National -->
| image1 = [[File:Muldoon 1978.jpg|180x180px]]
| image1 = [[File:Muldoon 1978.jpg|180x180px]]
| leader1 = [[Robert Muldoon]]
| leader1 = [[Robert Muldoon]]
| leader_since1 = [[1974 New Zealand National Party leadership election|9 July 1974]]
| leader_since1 = [[1974 New Zealand National Party leadership election|9 July 1974]]
| party1 = New Zealand National Party
| party1 = New Zealand National Party
| leaders_seat1 = [[Tāmaki (New Zealand electorate)|Tamaki]]
| leaders_seat1 = [[Tāmaki (New Zealand electorate)|Tamaki]]
| last_election1 = 32 seats, 41.5%
| last_election1 = 32 seats, 41.5%
| seats1 = 55
| seats1 = '''55'''
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 23
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 23
| popular_vote1 = 763,136
| popular_vote1 = '''763,136'''
| percentage1 = 47.6%
| percentage1 = '''47.6%'''
| swing1 = {{increase}} 6.1%
| swing1 = {{increase}} 6.1%

<!-- Labour -->
<!-- Labour -->
| image2 = [[File:Bill Rowling, 1962.jpg|180x180px]]
| image2 = [[File:Bill Rowling, 1974 (crop).jpg|180x180px]]
| leader2 = [[Bill Rowling]]
| leader2 = [[Bill Rowling]]
| leader_since2 = [[1974 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|6 September 1974]]
| leader_since2 = [[1974 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election|6 September 1974]]
| party2 = New Zealand Labour Party
| party2 = New Zealand Labour Party
| leaders_seat2 = [[Tasman (New Zealand electorate)|Tasman]]
| leaders_seat2 = [[Tasman (New Zealand electorate)|Tasman]]
| last_election2 = 55 seats, 48.4%
| last_election2 = 55 seats, 48.4%
| seats2 = 32
| seats2 = 32
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 23
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 23
| popular_vote2 = 634,453
| popular_vote2 = 634,453
| percentage2 = 39.6%
| percentage2 = 39.6%
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 8.8%
| swing2 = {{decrease}} 8.8%
| map_image = 1975 New Zealand general election.svg

| map_size = 350px
| map_image = 1975 New Zealand general election - Results.svg
| map_caption = Results by electorate, shaded by winning margin
| map_size = 400px
| title = [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]]
| map_caption = Results of the election.
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister

| before_election = [[Bill Rowling]]
| title = [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]]
| after_election = [[Robert Muldoon]]
| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister
| before_party = New Zealand Labour Party
| before_election = [[Bill Rowling]]
| after_party = New Zealand National Party
| after_election = [[Robert Muldoon]]
| before_party = New Zealand Labour Party
| after_party = New Zealand National Party
}}
}}
The '''1975 New Zealand general election''' was held on 29 November to elect MPs to the [[38th New Zealand Parliament|38th session]] of the [[New Zealand Parliament]]. It was the first general election in New Zealand where 18- to 20-year-olds{{sfn|Levine & Lodge|1976|p=?}} and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be elected.
The '''1975 New Zealand general election''' was held on 29 November to elect MPs to the [[38th New Zealand Parliament|38th session]] of the [[New Zealand Parliament]]. It was the first general election in New Zealand where 18- to 20-year-olds{{sfn|Levine & Lodge|1976|p=?}} and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be elected. The election took fifteen months after the death of popular [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] Prime Minister Norman Kirk, leaving his party significantly weakened politically.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title='Citizens for Rowling', 1975 |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/34039/citizens-for-rowling-1975 |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> The result was a [[Landslide victory|landslide defeat]] for the Labour Party under [[Bill Rowling]] to [[Robert Muldoon]]'s resurgent [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], which had moved considerably further rightward under his mantle.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alves |first=Dora |date=1991 |title=U.S.-New Zealand Relations: The National Government of New Zealand |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2645307 |journal=Asian Survey |volume=31 |issue=11 |pages=1061–1078 |doi=10.2307/2645307 |issn=0004-4687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Muldoon {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/robert-muldoon |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref> Labour suffered a [[Wipeout (elections)|wipeout]], losing all their seats in [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] and taking considerable losses in [[Auckland]], while the majorities across most urban seats that they retained were slashed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Norton |first=Clifford |title=New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science |publisher=Victoria University of Wellington |year=1988 |isbn=0-475-11200-8 |location=Wellington}}</ref>


The [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]], led by [[Robert Muldoon|Rob Muldoon]], won 55 of the 87 seats over the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]], led by [[Bill Rowling]], in a [[landslide victory|landslide]]. The election saw the defeat of the [[Third Labour Government of New Zealand|Third Labour Government]] after only three years in office and the formation of the [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National Government]]. As of 2023, this is the most recent election where a government was voted out after one term.
In the campaign, Muldoon focused on the economy, law and order and immigration controls, all of which he argued had been weakened under Labour. Muldoon controversially exploited the scapegoating of [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]] migrants by the media and public in the aftermath of [[1973–1975 recession|the 1973-75 recession]],<ref name="National Party advertisment" /> gaining support by promising a crackdown on migrants.<ref name=":0">''Pacific History''. Coutts, Brent. </ref> He promised a return to an intensified [[Dawn Raids (New Zealand)|Dawn Raids]], something that would prove crucial to the rise of the [[Polynesian Panthers|Polynesian Panther]] movement.<ref name=":0" />


==Background==
Although they did not win any seats under the unproportionable [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] electoral system, the [[Values Party]] gave their best ever performance at this election; winning 83,241 votes, it was over triple their gains at [[1972 New Zealand general election|the last election]], and 5.19% of the total vote (meaning they would have broken the threshold to get into parliament under New Zealand's [[Mixed-member proportional representation|current electoral system]].) Despite their landslide victory, Muldoon would lose the [[popular vote]] in the next three elections he would fight as Prime Minister, despite National retaining power in two of them. This was due to the [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post voting system]]. National would not win the popular vote for [[1990 New Zealand general election|fifteen more years]], despite governing for nine of them.<ref>{{cite book |title=The 1990 General Election, Perspectives on Political Change in New Zealand: Occasional Publications No 3, Department of Political Science |publisher=Victoria University of Wellington |year=1991 |isbn=0-475-11202-4 |editor-last=McLeay |editor-first=E. M. |location=Wellington}}</ref>
The incumbent Labour Party's decline in popularity during the previous term had as factors the death of its leader, [[Norman Kirk]], economic decline triggered by [[Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities|the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities]]—most importantly the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC)—and the [[1973 oil crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=Thomas Coughlan: Labour’s soul searching begins as drums beat for David Parker challenge |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/thomas-coughlan-labours-soul-searching-begins-as-drums-beat-for-david-parker-challenge/6XN2YZU5NFHG7AVVPK3RDQYF6Q/ |access-date=23 October 2023 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=21 October 2023}}</ref>


Following the sudden death of Labour leader Kirk, the party was led by [[Bill Rowling]], a leader who was characterised as being weak and ineffectual by some political commentators. Labour's central campaign was the so-called "[[Citizens for Rowling]]" petition which attacked National leader [[Robert Muldoon]]'s forthright leadership style. This campaign was largely seen as having backfired on Labour.
==Background==
The incumbent Labour Party, following the sudden death of Labour leader [[Norman Kirk]], was led by [[Bill Rowling]], a leader who was characterised as being weak and ineffectual by some political commentators. Labour's central campaign was the so-called "[[Citizens for Rowling]]" petition which attacked National leader [[Robert Muldoon]]'s forthright leadership style. This campaign was largely seen as having backfired on Labour.


The National Party responded with the formation of "Rob's Mob". As former Minister of Finance in the previous National government, Muldoon focused on the economic impact of Labour's policies; National's campaign advertising suggested that Labour's recently introduced compulsory personal superannuation scheme would result in the government owning the New Zealand economy by using the worker's money, akin to a communist state. Muldoon argued that his New Zealand superannuation scheme could be funded from future taxes rather than an additional tax on current wages.
The National Party responded with the formation of "Rob's Mob". As former Minister of Finance in the previous National government, Muldoon focused on the economic impact of Labour's policies; National's campaign advertising suggested that Labour's recently introduced compulsory personal superannuation scheme would result in the government owning the New Zealand economy by using the worker's money, akin to a communist state. Muldoon argued that his New Zealand superannuation scheme could be funded from future taxes rather than an additional tax on current wages.


In July 1974, Muldoon as opposition leader had promised to cut [[Immigration to New Zealand|immigration]] and to "get tough" on law and order issues. He criticized the Labour government's immigration policies for contributing to the economic recession and a housing shortage which undermined the New Zealand "way of life."
In July 1974, Muldoon as opposition leader had promised to cut [[Immigration to New Zealand|immigration]] and to "get tough" on law and order issues. He criticised the Labour government's immigration policies for contributing to the economic recession and a housing shortage which undermined the New Zealand "way of life".


During the 1975 general elections, the National Party had also played an electoral advertisement that was later criticized for stoking negative racial sentiments about Polynesian migrants.<ref name="National Party advertisment">{{cite AV media |year=1975 |title=''National Party advertisement''|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/2158/national-party-advertisement |format= documentary |publisher=TVNZ Television New Zealand, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand }}</ref>
During the 1975 general elections, the National Party had also played an electoral advertisement that was later criticized for stoking negative racial sentiments about Polynesian migrants.<ref name="National Party advertisment">{{cite AV media |year=1975 |title=''National Party advertisement''|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/2158/national-party-advertisement |format= documentary |publisher=TVNZ Television New Zealand, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand }}</ref>
Line 74: Line 70:


===MPs retiring in 1975===
===MPs retiring in 1975===
Four National MPs and Three Labour MPs intended to retire at the end of the 37th Parliament.
Four National MPs and Three Labour MPs intended to retire at the end of the 37th Parliament:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! colspan=2| Party !! Name !! Electorate
! colspan=2| Party !! Name !! Electorate !! Term of office!! Date announced
|-
|-
| rowspan=4 style="background-color: {{party color|New Zealand National Party}}" |
| rowspan=4 style="background-color: {{party color|New Zealand National Party}}" |
| rowspan=4| [[New Zealand National Party|National]]
| rowspan=4| [[New Zealand National Party|National]]
| [[Percy Allen (politician)|Percy Allen]] || [[Bay of Plenty (New Zealand electorate)|Bay of Plenty]]
| [[Percy Allen (politician)|Percy Allen]]
| [[Bay of Plenty (New Zealand electorate)|Bay of Plenty]]
| {{centre|1957–75}}
| before 20 August 1974<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19740821.2.18 |title=Mr MacIntyre nominated |work=[[The Press]] |date=21 August 1974 |volume=CXIV |issue=33618 |page=2 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Logan Sloane]] || [[Hobson (New Zealand electorate)|Hobson]]
| [[Logan Sloane]]
| [[Hobson (New Zealand electorate)|Hobson]]
| {{centre|1960–66<br>1969–75}}
| 22 April 1974<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19740423.2.31 |title=Retirement of M.P. |work=[[The Press]] |date=23 April 1974 |volume=CXIV |issue=33516 |page=3 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Jack Marshall]] || [[Karori (New Zealand electorate)|Karori]]
| Sir [[Jack Marshall]]
| [[Karori (New Zealand electorate)|Karori]]
| {{centre|1946–75}}
| 20 December 1974<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19741221.2.21 |title=Sir John Marshall to end political career next year |work=[[The Press]] |date=21 December 1974 |volume=CXIV |issue=33723 |page=2 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Douglas Carter]] || [[Raglan (New Zealand electorate)|Raglan]]
| [[Douglas Carter]]
| [[Raglan (New Zealand electorate)|Raglan]]
| {{centre|1957–75}}
| 5 August 1974<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19740807.2.120 |title=Raglan M.P. to retire |work=[[The Press]] |date=7 August 1974 |volume=CXIV |issue=33606 |page=14 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background-color: {{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}" |
| rowspan=3 style="background-color: {{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}" |
| rowspan=3| [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
| rowspan=3| [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
| [[Norman Douglas (politician)|Norman Douglas]] || [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]]
| [[Norman Douglas (politician)|Norman Douglas]]
| [[Auckland Central (New Zealand electorate)|Auckland Central]]
| {{centre|1960–75}}
| 16 October 1974<ref>{{Cite news |title=Last Term for Mr Douglas |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=18 October 1974 |page=1 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Ethel McMillan]] || [[Dunedin North (New Zealand electorate)|Dunedin North]]
| [[Ethel McMillan]]
| [[Dunedin North (New Zealand electorate)|Dunedin North]]
| {{centre|1953–75}}
| 17 October 1974<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19741018.2.9 |title=Labour candidates |work=[[The Press]] |date=18 October 1974 |volume=CXIV |issue=33668 |page=1 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Hugh Watt]] || [[Onehunga (New Zealand electorate)|Onehunga]]
| [[Hugh Watt]]
| [[Onehunga (New Zealand electorate)|Onehunga]]
| {{centre|1953–75}}
| 20 June 1975<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19750621.2.30 |title=Mr Watt not to stand |work=[[The Press]] |date=21 June 1975 |volume=CXV |issue=33875 |page=3 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Opinion polling==
==Opinion polling==
[[File:Opinion Polling for the 1975 General New Zealand Election.png|border|left|458x458px]]


<ref name="pollednz">{{cite web |url= http://www.polled.co.nz/historicalpollingdata.php |title= Historical Pollling Data 1974–2021 |publisher= Patrick Leyland |access-date= 31 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Not a Fair Go">{{cite thesis |title=Not a Fair Go: A History and Analysis of Social Credit's Struggle for Success in New Zealand's Electoral System |year=2010 |url= https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/4268/thesis.pdf?sequence=1 |publisher= University of Waikato |type=MA |last=Calderwood |first=David |access-date= 27 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19751021.2.132 |title=Poll shows National lead |work=[[The Press]] |volume=CXV |issue=33979 |date=21 October 1975 |page=20 }}</ref>
{{Graph:Chart
| width=650
| height=300
| yAxisTitle= Percent
| yAxisMin = 0
| yAxisMax = 60
| xAxisTitle= Date
| xAxisMin= 91454400000
| xAxisMax= 186404400000
| xAxisAngle = -40
| xAxisFormat=%b '%y
| legend=Person
| interpolate = basis
| size = 2.5
| xType = date
| y1Title=National
| y2Title=Labour
| y3Title=Social Credit
| y4Title=Values
| showSymbols=0.8
| type=line
| xGrid= |yGrid=
| x= 1972/11/25, 1974/5, 1974/9, 1974/11, 1975/2, 1975/3, 1975/5, 1975/7, 1975/9, 1975/9, 1975/11, 1975/11, 1975/11/29
| y1= 41.50, 44.0, 45.0, 44.0, 48.0, 46.0, 49.0, 50.0, 51.0, 52.0, 44.0, 46.0, 47.59
| y2= 48.37, 44.0, 47.0, 44.0, 46.0, 42.0, 42.0, 42.0, 42.0, 39.0, 43.0, 44.0, 39.56
| y3= 6.65, 5.0, 5.0, 7.0, 5.0, 6.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0, 7.0, 6.0, 7.43
| y4= 1.96, 5.0, 3.0, 4.0, 2.0, 6.0, 4.0, 3.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 4.0, 5.19
| colors = #00529F, #D82A20, #CBE800, #4BB805
}}

<ref name="pollednz">{{cite web |url= http://www.polled.co.nz/historicalpollingdata.php |title= Historical Pollling Data 1974–2021 |publisher= Patrick Leyland |access-date= 31 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Not a Fair Go">{{cite thesis |title=Not a Fair Go: A History and Analysis of Social Credit's Struggle for Success in New Zealand's Electoral System |year=2010 |url= https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/4268/thesis.pdf?sequence=1 |publisher= University of Waikato |type=MA |last=Calderwood |first=David |access-date= 27 September 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:750px;font-size:90%;line-height:14px;text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:750px;font-size:90%;line-height:14px;text-align:center;"
! style="width:270px;" rowspan="2"|Poll
! style="width:270px;" rowspan="2"|Poll
Line 138: Line 126:
! [[New Zealand National Party|National]]
! [[New Zealand National Party|National]]
! [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
! [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
! [[Social Credit Party (New Zealand)|Social Credit]]
! [[Social Credit Party (New Zealand)|Socred]]
! [[Values Party|Values]]
! [[Values Party|Values]]
! data-sort-type="number" style="width:40px;" | Lead
! data-sort-type="number" style="width:40px;" | Lead
|-
|-
! class="unsortable" style="background:{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|New Zealand National Party}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|New Zealand Labour Party}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="background:{{party color|Social Credit Party (New Zealand)}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Social Credit Party (New Zealand)}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="background:{{party color|Values Party}}; width:60px;"|
! class="unsortable" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Values Party}}; width:60px;"|
|-
|-
|- style="background:#EFEFEF; font-weight:italic;"
|- style="background:#EFEFEF; font-weight:italic;"
Line 165: Line 153:
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1975-07-15"| Jul 1975
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1975-07-15"| Jul 1975
| style="background:#CCDDFF"| '''50''' || 42 || 5 || 3 || style="background:#CCDDFF" | '''8'''
| style="background:#CCDDFF"| '''50''' || 42 || 5 || 3 || style="background:#CCDDFF" | '''8'''
|-
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1975-07-01"| Jul 1975
|style="background:#CCDDFF"| '''51''' || 40 || 5 || 4 || style="background:#CCDDFF" | '''11'''
|-
|-
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1975-05-15"| May 1975
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1975-05-15"| May 1975
Line 180: Line 171:
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1974-09-15"| Sep 1974
|TVNZ Heylen|| data-sort-value="1974-09-15"| Sep 1974
|| 45 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''47''' || 5 || 3 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''2'''
|| 45 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''47''' || 5 || 3 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''2'''
|-
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1974-09-01"| Sep 1974
|| 40 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''50''' || 5 || 4 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''10'''
|- style="background:#EFEFEF
|N/A|| data-sort-value="1974-08-31" | 31 August 1974
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | '''Death of Prime Minister [[Norman Kirk]], [[Bill Rowling]] Becomes Prime Minister'''
|-
|-
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1974-05-15"| May 1974
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1974-05-15"| May 1974
|style="background:#CCDDFF"| '''44''' || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''44''' || 5 || 5 || | '''Tie'''
|style="background:#CCDDFF"| '''44''' || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''44''' || 5 || 5 || | '''Tie'''
|-
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1975-11-01"| Nov 1973
|| 44 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''47''' || 6 || 1 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''3'''
|-
|NRB|| data-sort-value="1975-05-01"| May 1973
|| 39 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''51''' || 5 || 1 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''12'''
|- style="background:#EFEFEF
| '''1972 election result'''|| data-sort-value="1972-11-25"| 25 Nov 1972
|| 41.50 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''48.37''' || 6.65 || 1.96 || style="background:#FFB6B6" | '''6.87'''
|}
|}


==Results==
==Results==
[[File:Celebrating_on_election_night,_November_29_1975.jpg|alt=|right|thumb|Celebrating on election night]]
[[File:Celebrating_on_election_night,_November_29_1975.jpg|alt=|right|thumb|Celebrating on election night]]
The final results saw [[New Zealand National Party|National]] won 55 seats, and [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] 32 seats. Thus [[Robert Muldoon]] replaced [[Bill Rowling]] as [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]], ending the term of the [[Third Labour Government of New Zealand|Third Labour government]], and beginning the term of the [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National government]]. The party seat numbers were an exact opposite of the [[1972 New Zealand general election|1972]] election. No minor parties won seats, though the election saw the best ever result for New Zealand's first [[green politics|green]] political party, Values. There were 1,953,050 electors on the roll, with 1,603,733 (82.11%) voting.
The final results saw [[New Zealand National Party|National]] win 55 seats, and [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] 32 seats. Thus [[Robert Muldoon]] replaced [[Bill Rowling]] as [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]], ending the term of the [[Third Labour Government of New Zealand|Third Labour government]], and beginning the term of the [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National government]]. The party seat numbers were an exact opposite of the [[1972 New Zealand general election|1972]] election. No minor parties won seats, though the election saw the best ever result for New Zealand's first [[green politics|green]] political party, Values. There were 1,953,050 electors on the roll, with 1,603,733 (82.11%) voting.


While Muldoon would be re-elected twice, this would be the only time between [[1969 New Zealand general election|1969]] and [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990]] that National polled more votes than Labour.
While Muldoon would be re-elected twice, this would be the only time between [[1969 New Zealand general election|1969]] and [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990]] that National polled more votes than Labour.
Line 239: Line 245:
|align=center|0.03
|align=center|0.03
|align=center|'''0'''
|align=center|'''0'''
|align=center| ±0
|-
|bgcolor=#000000|
|[[National Socialist Party of New Zealand|National Socialist]]
|align=center|1
|align=center|19
|align=center|0.00
|align=center|'''-'''
|align=center| ±0
|align=center| ±0
|-
|-
Line 349: Line 363:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|majority = 2,973
|majority = 2,973
|second = T G B Armitage
|second = Tim Armitage
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
}}
}}
Line 373: Line 387:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|majority = 1,428
|majority = 1,428
|second = A R Bright
|second = Ian Bright
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
}}
}}
Line 631: Line 645:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|majority = 931
|majority = 931
|second = J K W Isles
|second = John Isles
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
}}
}}
Line 711: Line 725:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|majority = 6,769
|majority = 6,769
|second = P R Thornicroft
|second = Paul Thornicroft
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
}}
}}
Line 813: Line 827:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|majority = 4,766
|majority = 4,766
|second = D A Johnson
|second = Don Johnson
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
}}
}}
Line 845: Line 859:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|majority = 2,763
|majority = 2,763
|second = Rex Willing
|second = [[Rex Willing]]
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
}}
}}
Line 869: Line 883:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand National Party
|majority = 4,301
|majority = 4,301
|second = N B Lambert
|second = Neville Lambert
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|second-party = New Zealand Labour Party
}}
}}
Line 971: Line 985:
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|incumbent-party = New Zealand Labour Party
|majority = 1,244
|majority = 1,244
|second = J G Rowan
|second = John Rowan
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
|second-party = New Zealand National Party
}}
}}
Line 1,056: Line 1,070:
Table footnotes:
Table footnotes:
{{reflist|group=nb}}<section end="Electorate results" />
{{reflist|group=nb}}<section end="Electorate results" />

==Post-election events==
A number of [[Local government in New Zealand|local by-elections]] were required due to the resignations of incumbent local body politicians following the general election:

* A [[List of by-elections to the Invercargill City Council#1976 by-election|by-election occurred]] for the [[Invercargill City Council]] after councillor [[Norman Jones (politician)|Norman Jones]] resigned after being elected to parliament, prompting a by-election. Jones was replaced on the council by [[J. B. Munro]], whom he defeated at the parliamentary election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19760417.2.117 |title=Mr Munro gets seat in council |work=[[The Press]] |date=17 April 1976 |volume=CXVI |issue=34130 |page=16 }}</ref>
* There was [[1976 Hamilton mayoral by-election|a by-election]] for [[Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand|Mayor of Hamilton]]. Mayor [[Mike Minogue]] resigned after he was elected as MP for {{NZ electorate link|Hamilton West}}. The by-election was win by leader of the [[Social Credit Party (New Zealand)|Social Credit Party]], [[Bruce Beetham]], who had contested {{NZ electorate link|Rangitikei}} in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beetham stretches majority |work=[[Waikato Times|The Times]] |date=5 May 1976 |page=1 }}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 1,069: Line 1,089:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=30707&recordNum=19&f=subjectid%24802550&l=en Mr Nathan the National candidate for [[Island Bay (NZ electorate)|Island Bay]] below a defaced poster (photo)]
*[http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=30707&recordNum=19&f=subjectid%24802550&l=en Mr Nathan the National candidate for Island Bay below a defaced poster (photo)]


{{New Zealand elections}}
{{New Zealand elections}}

Latest revision as of 05:00, 23 December 2024

1975 New Zealand general election
← 1972 29 November 1975 (1975-11-29) 1978 →
87 seats in the Parliament
44 seats needed for a majority
Turnout1,603,733 (82.11%) Decrease
  First party Second party
 
Leader Robert Muldoon Bill Rowling
Party National Labour
Leader since 9 July 1974 6 September 1974
Leader's seat Tamaki Tasman
Last election 32 seats, 41.5% 55 seats, 48.4%
Seats won 55 32
Seat change Increase 23 Decrease 23
Popular vote 763,136 634,453
Percentage 47.6% 39.6%
Swing Increase 6.1% Decrease 8.8%
Results by electorate, shaded by winning margin
Prime Minister before election

Bill Rowling
Labour

Subsequent Prime Minister

Robert Muldoon
National

The 1975 New Zealand general election was held on 29 November to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first general election in New Zealand where 18- to 20-year-olds[1] and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be elected.

The National Party, led by Rob Muldoon, won 55 of the 87 seats over the Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, in a landslide. The election saw the defeat of the Third Labour Government after only three years in office and the formation of the Third National Government. As of 2023, this is the most recent election where a government was voted out after one term.

Background

[edit]

The incumbent Labour Party's decline in popularity during the previous term had as factors the death of its leader, Norman Kirk, economic decline triggered by the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities—most importantly the European Economic Community (EEC)—and the 1973 oil crisis.[2]

Following the sudden death of Labour leader Kirk, the party was led by Bill Rowling, a leader who was characterised as being weak and ineffectual by some political commentators. Labour's central campaign was the so-called "Citizens for Rowling" petition which attacked National leader Robert Muldoon's forthright leadership style. This campaign was largely seen as having backfired on Labour.

The National Party responded with the formation of "Rob's Mob". As former Minister of Finance in the previous National government, Muldoon focused on the economic impact of Labour's policies; National's campaign advertising suggested that Labour's recently introduced compulsory personal superannuation scheme would result in the government owning the New Zealand economy by using the worker's money, akin to a communist state. Muldoon argued that his New Zealand superannuation scheme could be funded from future taxes rather than an additional tax on current wages.

In July 1974, Muldoon as opposition leader had promised to cut immigration and to "get tough" on law and order issues. He criticised the Labour government's immigration policies for contributing to the economic recession and a housing shortage which undermined the New Zealand "way of life".

During the 1975 general elections, the National Party had also played an electoral advertisement that was later criticized for stoking negative racial sentiments about Polynesian migrants.[3]

The campaign also achieved notoriety due to an infamous television commercial featuring "Dancing Cossacks", which was produced by Hanna Barbera on behalf of National's ad agency Colenso.[4]

A consummate orator and a skilled television performer, Muldoon's powerful presence on screen increased his popularity with voters.[5]

MPs retiring in 1975

[edit]

Four National MPs and Three Labour MPs intended to retire at the end of the 37th Parliament:

Party Name Electorate Term of office Date announced
National Percy Allen Bay of Plenty
1957–75
 before 20 August 1974[6]
Logan Sloane Hobson
1960–66
1969–75
 22 April 1974[7]
Sir Jack Marshall Karori
1946–75
 20 December 1974[8]
Douglas Carter Raglan
1957–75
 5 August 1974[9]
Labour Norman Douglas Auckland Central
1960–75
 16 October 1974[10]
Ethel McMillan Dunedin North
1953–75
 17 October 1974[11]
Hugh Watt Onehunga
1953–75
 20 June 1975[12]

Opinion polling

[edit]

[13][14][15]

Poll Date[nb 1] National Labour Socred Values Lead
1975 election result 29 Nov 1975 47.59 39.56 7.43 5.19 8.03
NRB Nov 1975 46 44 6 4 2
TVNZ Heylen Nov 1975 44 43 7 5 1
NRB Sep 1975 52 39 5 4 13
TVNZ Heylen Sep 1975 51 42 5 3 9
TVNZ Heylen Jul 1975 50 42 5 3 8
NRB Jul 1975 51 40 5 4 11
TVNZ Heylen May 1975 49 42 5 4 7
NRB Mar 1975 46 42 6 6 4
TVNZ Heylen Feb 1975 48 46 5 2 2
NRB Nov 1974 44 44 7 4 Tie
TVNZ Heylen Sep 1974 45 47 5 3 2
NRB Sep 1974 40 50 5 4 10
N/A 31 August 1974 Death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk, Bill Rowling Becomes Prime Minister
NRB May 1974 44 44 5 5 Tie
NRB Nov 1973 44 47 6 1 3
NRB May 1973 39 51 5 1 12
1972 election result 25 Nov 1972 41.50 48.37 6.65 1.96 6.87

Results

[edit]
Celebrating on election night

The final results saw National win 55 seats, and Labour 32 seats. Thus Robert Muldoon replaced Bill Rowling as Prime Minister, ending the term of the Third Labour government, and beginning the term of the Third National government. The party seat numbers were an exact opposite of the 1972 election. No minor parties won seats, though the election saw the best ever result for New Zealand's first green political party, Values. There were 1,953,050 electors on the roll, with 1,603,733 (82.11%) voting.

While Muldoon would be re-elected twice, this would be the only time between 1969 and 1990 that National polled more votes than Labour.

Notable electorate results included the election of two Māori MPs to general seats; the first time that any Māori had been elected to a non-Māori electorate since James Carroll in 1893. The MPs in question were Ben Couch in Wairarapa and Rex Austin in Awarua.

In Palmerston North and Western Hutt, Labour was first on election night but lost when special votes were counted.

Party Candidates Total votes Percentage Seats won Change
National 87 763,136 47.59 55 +23
Labour 87 634,453 39.56 32 -23
Social Credit 87 119,147 7.43 0 ±0
Values 87 83,241 5.19 0 ±0
Socialist Unity 15 408 0.03 0 ±0
National Socialist 1 19 0.00 - ±0
Independent 67 3,756 0.23 0 ±0
Total 415 1,603,733 87


Votes summary

[edit]
Popular Vote
National
 
 47.59%
Labour
 
 39.56%
Social Credit
 
 7.43%
Values
 
 5.19%
Independents
 
 0.23%
Parliament seats
National
 
 63.22%
Labour
 
 36.78%

The table below shows the results of the 1975 general election:

Key

  National   Labour   Social Credit

Electorate results for the 1975 New Zealand general election[16]
Electorate Incumbent Winner Majority Runner up
General electorates
Auckland Central Norman Douglas Richard Prebble 289 Murray McCully
Avon Mary Batchelor 5,503 Tom George
Awarua Aubrey Begg Rex Austin 2,150 Aubrey Begg
Bay of Plenty Percy Allen Duncan MacIntyre 3,960 Robert Frederick McKee
Birkenhead Norman King Jim McLay 2,816 Norman King
Christchurch Central Bruce Barclay 2,973 Tim Armitage
Clutha Peter Gordon 4,735 F A O'Connell
Coromandel Leo Schultz 4,724 Raymond C. Bradley
Dunedin Central Brian MacDonell 1,428 Ian Bright
Dunedin North Ethel McMillan Richard Walls 958 Brian Arnold
East Coast Bays Frank Gill 5,594 Rex Stanton
Eden Mike Moore Aussie Malcolm 1,331 Mike Moore
Egmont Venn Young 4,120 Dennis Duggan
Franklin Bill Birch 7,605 Ron Ng-Waishing
Gisborne Trevor Davey Bob Bell 1,321 Trevor Davey
Grey Lynn Eddie Isbey 2,839 Jens Meder
Hamilton East Rufus Rogers Ian Shearer 2,246 Rufus Rogers
Hamilton West Dorothy Jelicich Mike Minogue 2,069 Dorothy Jelicich
Hastings Richard Mayson Bob Fenton 491 Richard Mayson
Hawkes Bay Richard Harrison 3,805 David Butcher
Henderson Martyn Finlay 401 Warren Adams
Heretaunga Ron Bailey 336 Julie Cameron[17]
Hobson Logan Sloane Neill Austin 4,101 Howard Manning[nb 2]
Hutt Trevor Young 1,019 Brett Newell
Invercargill J. B. Munro Norman Jones 2,533 J. B. Munro
Island Bay Gerald O'Brien 1,274 Bill Nathan
Kapiti Frank O'Flynn Barry Brill 2,222 Frank O'Flynn
Karori Jack Marshall Hugh Templeton 4,830 Margaret Shields
King Country Jim Bolger 4,316 Thomas Varnam
Lyttelton Tom McGuigan Colleen Dewe 999 Tom McGuigan
Manawatu Allan McCready 2,918 Alan Charles Eyles
Mangere Colin Moyle 1,604 Stanley Lawson
Manukau Roger Douglas 678 Brian Leaming
Manurewa Phil Amos Merv Wellington 1,358 Phil Amos
Marlborough Ian Brooks Ed Latter 3,010 Ian Brooks
Miramar Bill Young 1,749 John Wybrow
Mt Albert Warren Freer 247 Frank Ryan
Napier Gordon Christie 931 John Isles
Nelson Stan Whitehead 1,093 Ian McWhannel
New Lynn Jonathan Hunt 890 Barry O'Connor
New Plymouth Ron Barclay Tony Friedlander 1,935 Ron Barclay
North Shore George Gair 5,247 Wyn Hoadley
Oamaru Bill Laney Jonathan Elworthy 2,196 Bill Laney
Onehunga Hugh Watt Frank Rogers 1,044 Kevin O'Brien
Otago Central Ian Quigley Warren Cooper 2,371 Ian Quigley
Otahuhu Bob Tizard 3,785 Lois Morris
Pahiatua Keith Holyoake 6,769 Paul Thornicroft
Pakuranga Gavin Downie 7,016 Geoff Braybrooke
Palmerston North Joe Walding John Lithgow 142 Joe Walding
Papanui Bert Walker 2,985 Rod Garden
Petone Fraser Colman 2,834 Brel Gluyas
Piako Jack Luxton 6,174 Helen Clark
Porirua Gerry Wall 2,265 Ross Doughty
Raglan Douglas Carter Marilyn Waring 3,756 Bill Pickering
Rakaia Colin McLachlan 5,237 Graeme Lowrie
Rangiora Kerry Burke Derek Quigley 1,386 Kerry Burke
Rangitikei Roy Jack 1,756 Bruce Beetham
Remuera Allan Highet 8,656 G B Mead
Riccarton Eric Holland 4,766 Don Johnson
Rodney Peter Wilkinson 7,817 John Prebble
Roskill Arthur Faulkner 530 John Maurice Priestley[18]
Rotorua Harry Lapwood 3,605 Peter Tapsell
Ruahine Les Gandar 2,763 Rex Willing
St Albans Roger Drayton 1,570 Prudence Rotherberg
St Kilda Bill Fraser 1,890 Gordon Heslop
South Canterbury Rob Talbot 4,301 Neville Lambert
Stratford David Thomson 5,667 P P Hopkins
Sydenham John Kirk 3,817 Paul Matheson
Tamaki Robert Muldoon 6,735 Tim Kaye
Tasman Bill Rowling 529 Peter Malone
Taupo Jack Ridley Ray La Varis 1,614 Jack Ridley
Tauranga Keith Allen 4,843 Richard Hendry
Timaru Sir Basil Arthur 1,011 Dave Walker
Waikato Lance Adams-Schneider 7,073 Brian West
Wairarapa Jack Williams Ben Couch 1,468 Jack Williams
Waitemata Michael Bassett Dail Jones 1,385 Michael Bassett
Wallace Brian Talboys 6,978 Ian Lamont
Wanganui Russell Marshall 1,244 John Rowan
Wellington Central Ken Comber 1,076 David Shand
West Coast Paddy Blanchfield 2,401 Barry Dallas
Western Hutt Henry May Bill Lambert 109 Henry May[nb 3]
Whangarei Murray Smith John Elliott 2,710 Murray Smith
Wigram Mick Connelly 1,967 Neil Russell
Māori electorates
Eastern Maori Paraone Reweti 6,261 Monty Searancke
Northern Maori Matiu Rata 4,151 Winston Peters
Southern Maori Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan 6,452 Willard Amaru
Western Maori Koro Wētere 8,925 Emerson Studholme Rangi

Table footnotes:

  1. ^ These are the survey dates of the poll, or if the survey dates are not stated, the date the poll was released.
  2. ^ David Lange came third for Labour in Hobson
  3. ^ Henry May was first on election night, but lost when special votes were included

Post-election events

[edit]

A number of local by-elections were required due to the resignations of incumbent local body politicians following the general election:

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Levine & Lodge 1976, p. ?.
  2. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (21 October 2023). "Thomas Coughlan: Labour's soul searching begins as drums beat for David Parker challenge". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  3. ^ National Party advertisement (documentary). TVNZ Television New Zealand, Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 1975.
  4. ^ "Dancing Cossacks political TV ad". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  5. ^ Atkinson 2003, pp. 188f.
  6. ^ "Mr MacIntyre nominated". The Press. Vol. CXIV, no. 33618. 21 August 1974. p. 2.
  7. ^ "Retirement of M.P." The Press. Vol. CXIV, no. 33516. 23 April 1974. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Sir John Marshall to end political career next year". The Press. Vol. CXIV, no. 33723. 21 December 1974. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Raglan M.P. to retire". The Press. Vol. CXIV, no. 33606. 7 August 1974. p. 14.
  10. ^ "Last Term for Mr Douglas". The New Zealand Herald. 18 October 1974. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Labour candidates". The Press. Vol. CXIV, no. 33668. 18 October 1974. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Mr Watt not to stand". The Press. Vol. CXV, no. 33875. 21 June 1975. p. 3.
  13. ^ "Historical Pollling Data 1974–2021". Patrick Leyland. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  14. ^ Calderwood, David (2010). Not a Fair Go: A History and Analysis of Social Credit's Struggle for Success in New Zealand's Electoral System (PDF) (MA). University of Waikato. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Poll shows National lead". The Press. Vol. CXV, no. 33979. 21 October 1975. p. 20.
  16. ^ Norton 1988, pp. ?.
  17. ^ Gustafson 1986, p. 358.
  18. ^ Gustafson 1986, p. 382.
  19. ^ "Mr Munro gets seat in council". The Press. 17 April 1976. p. 16.
  20. ^ "Beetham stretches majority". The Times. 5 May 1976. p. 1.

References

[edit]
  • Atkinson, Neill (2003). Adventures in Democracy: A History of the Vote in New Zealand. Dunedin: University of Otago Press.
  • Chapman, George (1980). The Years of Lightning. Wellington: AH & AW Reed. ISBN 0-589-01346-7.
  • Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
  • Levine, Stephen; Lodge, Juliet (1976). The New Zealand General Election of 1975. Wellington: Price Milburn for New Zealand University Press. ISBN 0-7055-0624-X.
  • Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=1975_New_Zealand_general_election&oldid=1264716903"