Prime Minister and incumbent Labour party leader Norman Kirk died unexpectedly on 31 August 1974. Kirk's deputy Hugh Watt served as the Prime Minister and leader for several days on an interim basis until a new leader could be elected. Finance Minister Bill Rowling quickly found himself the front-runner in caucus, whilst both Labour's National Executive and the Federation of Labour preferred Hugh Watt.
Candidates
Bill Rowling
Rowling was serving as Minister of Finance in Kirk's cabinet. He was officially nominated by MP Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan. President of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and good friend of Hugh Watt, Tom Skinner attempted to talk Rowling into standing down as a candidate, however the attempt backfired and helped Rowling make up his mind that he would accept a nomination, though he stopped actively lobbying for further support. After Kirk's funeral he told Warren Freer that he would have liked another year or two in cabinet to gain more experience, but had decided to put his name forward. Rowling favoured Colin Moyle as deputy, while Freer preferred Bob Tizard as tough enough to face up to Muldoon; neither wanted Arthur Faulkner who was indecisive and delayed making decisions.
Hugh Watt
Watt was the interim Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under Kirk, and had served as the party's deputy leader since 1963 first under Arnold Nordmeyer and then under Kirk. Watt was favoured by the party executive as well as having the backing of the trade unions. He was officially nominated by MP Gerald O'Brien. Many in the parliamentary party, however, felt at 61 he was too old and that Labour needed a younger leader.
Result
A caucus vote was held on 6 September 1974 where Rowling received an overwhelming majority. Hugh Watt had only 9 votes, with the rest of the caucus voting for Rowling. Watt then surprised caucus by saying he would not stand for deputy, as having served two leaders he had done his fair share. Bob Tizard was elected deputy leader, defeating Arthur Faulkner by 28 votes to 26. The party whip Ron Barclay learned the previous night that Faulkner had the votes to win on the first round, so he had Warren Freer nominated for deputy by Trevor Davey; neither Barclay or Freer wanted Faulkner as deputy as he was not leadership material, and with Freer splitting the vote he would miss out to either Bob Tizard or Colin Moyle. There were five nominations for deputy; Faulkner, Moyle, Tizard, Joe Walding and Freer. Walding dropped out on the first ballot and Moyle on the second ballot. Freer wondered whether he would need to withdraw, but was eliminated in the third ballot. On the fourth ballot Tizard won. Freer wrote that Barclay had been right as usual, and that one of Faulkner’s supporters had failed to keep their promise.
Leadership ballot
Deputy-leadership ballot
With the leadership positions filled there was need for an election for the vacant cabinet seat. Ron Bailey was elected ahead of Norman Douglas for the position.
Aftermath
Rowling age 46, became the youngest New Zealand Prime Minister since 1887. He served as Prime Minister until being defeated in the. He remained the Labour Party's leader until 1983. Watt had expected to succeed Kirk and was of the opinion that the role was his of right as Kirk's deputy. Though disappointed, Watt was gracious in defeat also resigning as deputy leader. He remained in Rowling's cabinet, carrying the Works and Development portfolio and was later appointed to the Executive Council without portfolio. Later, Watt was appointed New Zealand'sHigh Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 22 March 1975 for three years.
