when did norman kirk die

by Zora Moore Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What did Norman Kirk do in the 1972 election?

Norman Kirk. Following a Labour victory in the 1972 election, Kirk became Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He stressed the need for regional economic development and affirmed New Zealand's solidarity with Australia in adopting a foreign policy more independent of the United States.

What did John Kirk do as Prime Minister of New Zealand?

Following a Labour victory in the 1972 election, Kirk became Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He stressed the need for regional economic development and affirmed New Zealand's solidarity with Australia in adopting a foreign policy more independent of the United States. In 1973, he strongly opposed French nuclear tests in the Pacific.

What did Ruth Kirk do in the 1970s?

In 1975 Ruth Kirk was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 1974, while her husband was Prime Minister, she became patron of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. She took part in anti-abortion protest marches in Wellington and Hamilton.

How popular is Kirk’s Big norm in NZ?

Kirk’s popularity with the New Zealand public was perhaps best demonstrated by the song ‘Big Norm’. Performed by Wellington band Ebony, it peaked at No. 4 on the national charts in January 1974 and won the band a New Zealand music award for ‘group of the year’.

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What age did Norman Kirk die?

51 years (1923–1974)Norman Kirk / Age at death

Which Labour leader died in office NZ?

Michael Joseph Savage PC (23 March 1872 – 27 March 1940) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 23rd prime minister of New Zealand, heading the First Labour Government from 6 December 1935 until his death.

When was Norman Kirk born?

January 6, 1923Norman Kirk / Date of birth

Who was prime minister in 1973 in NZ?

Prime Minister Norman Kirk, 1973 – Labour Party – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

Which prime minister died while in office?

Prime Ministers who died in office Harold Holt (LP, Higgins, Vic.) was Prime Minister from 26 January 1966 to 19 December 1967, the day on which he is presumed to have died while swimming at Portsea, Victoria.

How many New Zealand prime ministers have died in office?

Two prime ministers who died in office were buried in mausoleums: William Massey (died 1925) in the Massey Memorial in Wellington, and Michael Joseph Savage (died 1940) in the Savage Memorial at Bastion Point in Auckland.

Who is Kirk Hope?

Kirk Hope is Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand's leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes.

Who was NZ government in 1987?

The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 42nd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains.

Who was the prime minister in 1974 in NZ?

Norman Kirk's death in office brought Bill Rowling to the prime ministership unexpectedly in August 1974.

Has New Zealand ever had Maori prime minister?

Twice in the Liberal Government, Carroll acted as Prime Minister, and his status was confirmed by the awarding in 1911 of the KCMG, becoming the first Maori to be knighted.

Who was the first female NZ prime minister?

Jenny Shipley became New Zealand's first female prime minister after replacing Jim Bolger as leader of the National Party. Labour's Helen Clark became New Zealand's first elected female prime minister following the general election in November 1999.

When was NZ first discovered?

December 13, 1642From that perspective, New Zealand was first spotted on December 13, 1642 by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman and explored by Captain James Cook in 1769.

Is Bob Tizard alive?

January 28, 2016Bob Tizard / Date of death

Is Michael Cullen still alive?

August 19, 2021Michael Cullen / Date of death

How old is Michael Cullen?

76 years (1945–2021)Michael Cullen / Age at death

Who was previous Labour leader?

Leaders of the Labour Party (1906–present)No.Leader (birth–death)Took office17Ed Miliband (b. 1969)25 September 2010 (elected)Harriet Harman (b. 1950) (acting: 2nd time)8 May 201518Jeremy Corbyn (b. 1949)12 September 2015 (elected)19Keir Starmer (b. 1962)4 April 2020 (elected)47 more rows

Where was Norman Kirk born?

Born in Waimate, a town in South Canterbury, New Zealand, Norman Kirk came from a poor background, and his household could not afford things such as daily newspapers or a radio.

What did Kirk do during his time as Prime Minister?

During his time as Prime Minister, Kirk kept up an intense schedule, refusing to reduce his workload by any significant degree and rarely taking time off (the Chatham Islands was his favourite retreat). Kirk ignored advice from several doctors and from Bob Tizard and Warren Freer to "take care of himself" and to reduce his heavy consumption of Coca-Cola and alcohol (beer, plus later whisky or gin), saying he would have a "short but happy life". Though a non-smoker, he had dysentery and exhibited symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes.

Who wrote the song Big Norm?

The New Zealand pop band Ebony wrote the song "Big Norm", featuring tongue-in-cheek lyrics praising Kirk. In 1974, it reached No 4 in the charts and Ebony won a New Zealand music RATA award for group of the year. The last telegram Kirk sent before his death was to Ebony congratulating them on their win.

Who replaced Keith Holyoake as Prime Minister?

In February 1972 Keith Holyoake resigned as Prime Minister and was replaced by Jack Marshall. Not even this could blunt Labour's campaign slogan, " It's Time – Time for a change, time for Labour", and on 25 November 1972 Kirk led Labour to victory with a majority of 23 seats.

What class was Kirk?

Kirk was from the working class. He built his own house. He had little formal education but like earlier Labour leaders, he read widely and became a skilled debater. He won Lyttelton in 1957 and eight years later became leader of the opposition.

When did Big Norm die?

‘Big Norm’, as a pop band dubbed him, weakened as the economy staggered under the impact of the first oil price shock. In August 1974 he died in hospital. Thousands attended his state funeral.

When did Kirk go to medical school?

Kirk enlisted in the Army Medical Reserve Corp on May 29, 1912 and was commissioned as a first lieutenant. He graduated from the Army Medical school in 1913 and was stationed in Texas City Texas. He was then moved out of the reserve and into the active Army medical corp.

Who was the surgeon general of the United States Army in 1943?

In 1943, General George Marshal appointed him Surgeon General of the United States Army to replace James C. Magee. After appointment, he was promoted to Major General. Kirk worked to create uniform protocols for treating patients with amputations to improve care for soldiers.

Background

Norman Kirk left school at age 13. However, he enjoyed reading, and often visited libraries. In particular, he enjoyed the study of history and geography.

Career

Kirk worked initially as an assistant roof-painter and later as a stationary engine driver, operating boilers in various factories. His health, however, deteriorated, and when the New Zealand Army called him up for military service in 1941 it found him medically unfit.

New Zealand Prime Minister

As prime minister, he set a frenetic pace implementing a great number of new policies. In particular, the Kirk government had a far more active foreign policy than its predecessor, taking great trouble to expand New Zealand's links with Asia and Africa. He opposed colonialism in a UN speech and recognized the People's Republic of China.

Death

During his time as Prime Minister, Kirk kept up an intense schedule, refusing to reduce his workload by any significant degree and rarely taking time off.

What happened to Norman Kirk?

When Labour prime minister Norman Kirk died in office in August 1974, it wasn't long before the conspiracy theorists began to whisper about the real cause of his death. One theory went that the CIA poisoned him on an overseas trip.

Who was the fourth prime minister of Labour?

Everyone accepts that now.". Kirk, who was Labour's fourth prime minister, had been in office for less than two years. The greatest parts of his legacy were his challenging of French nuclear testing in the Pacific, his refusal to allow a Springbok rugby tour in 1973, and his humanitarianism, Grant says. "Kirk worked for an inclusive New Zealand ...

Did the Mighty Totara have any evidence of Norman Kirk's death?

But Grant says his research for The Mighty Totara: The Life and Times of Norman Kirk found no evidence to suggest there was anything sinister about Kirk's death.

Overview

Norman Eric Kirk PC (6 January 1923 – 31 August 1974) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 29th prime minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974.
Born into poverty in Southern Canterbury, Kirk left school at age 13 and joined the New Zealand Labour Party in 1943. He was mayor of Kaiapoi from 1953 un…

Early life and family

Born in Waimate, a town in South Canterbury, New Zealand, Norman Kirk came from a poor background, and his household could not afford things such as daily newspapers or a radio. His father, also named Norman Kirk, was a carpenter, while his mother Vera Janet (née Jury) had migrated from the Wairarapa. Throughout his life, it was often speculated that Norman Kirk had

Early political career

Also in 1943, Kirk joined the Labour Party's branch in Kaiapoi, where he and his wife had decided to build a house. Kirk bought a 1,261 m (13,570 sq ft) section at 12 Carew Street for just NZ£40 (compared to today's land valuation of NZ$126,000). Owing to a shortage of funds and building materials following World War II, Kirk built the house himself entirely, right down to the casting of the bricks. The house still stands today, albeit with an extension at the back and a hipped corrug…

Member of Parliament

In 1954, Kirk stood as the Labour candidate for the Hurunui seat. While he increased Labour's share of the vote considerably, he did not win. Following this, Kirk sought the Labour nomination for a by-election in Riccarton, but ultimately withdrew from the selection contest. He then turned his attention to winning nomination in the seat of Lyttelton, which Labour surprisingly lost to the Nation…

Prime Minister

In February 1972 Keith Holyoake resigned as Prime Minister and was replaced by Jack Marshall. Not even this could blunt Labour's campaign slogan, "It's Time – Time for a change, time for Labour", and on 25 November 1972 Kirk led Labour to victory with a majority of 23 seats.
Soon after entering office, Kirk acquired a reputation as a reforming figure. Th…

Illness and death

During his time as Prime Minister, Kirk kept up an intense schedule, refusing to reduce his workload by any significant degree and rarely taking time off (the Chatham Islands was his favourite retreat). Kirk ignored advice from several doctors and from Bob Tizard and Warren Freer to "take care of himself" and to reduce his heavy consumption of Coca-Cola and alcohol (beer, plus later whis…