Third Labour Government of New Zealand

The Third Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1972 to 1975. Its most significant policies encouraged biculturalism and a sense of New Zealand identity, but it lacked the economic skills necessary to lead the country through a difficult economic period. The government lasted for one term before being defeated a year after the death of its popular leader, Norman Kirk. It was the last of the traditional New Zealand Labour governments.

ignificant policies

The government's most significant policies concerned attempts to create a distinct New Zealand identity, both internally and in the world. For most of its history, New Zealand had been, economically, culturally and politically, highly dependent on Britain. This began to change during World War II, when it became clear that Britain was no longer able to defend its former colonies in the Pacific. As Britain began to turn away from what was left of its former Empire and towards Europe, New Zealanders became less inclined to think of themselves as British. Initially the country turned instead to the United States, and so entered into the ANZUS pact with the US and Australia, and aided the US in the Vietnam War. However by the early 1970s many New Zealanders felt the need for genuine national independence, a feeling strengthened when Britain joined the European Economic Community in 1973, causing serious problems for New Zealand trade. Most of this government's policies can be seen in this light.

Treaty of Waitangi

This was the first government to give serious recognition to the Treaty of Waitangi, first by making the anniversary of its signing a national public holiday, and then by establishing the Waitangi Tribunal to investigate contemporary breaches of it. Both were concessions to increasingly angry Māori protest, as was the appointment of Matiu Rata to Minister of Māori Affairs (and initially Lands). He was the first Māori Minister of Māori Affairs since the 1930s and the first ever Māori Minister of Lands.

The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1985 was the first legal recognition of the Treaty, but did not allow the Tribunal to investigate historical breaches. The New Zealand Day Act 1973, which made Waitangi Day a national public holiday, also fulfilled the Māori demand for greater acknowledgement of the Treaty. However it was also a part of the government's programme of nationalism, as the name of the day (New Zealand Day) indicates. New Zealand Day was intended to appeal to New Zealanders of all ethnicities, including those who were neither Māori nor Pakeha.

Economic

* Establishment the New Zealand Shipping Line.New Zealand's economy was heavily dependent on overseas trade, and Kirk felt that it made little sense to be dependent on foreign-owned shipping firms. A state-owned shipping line was thus founded, but was to be financially unsuccessful.

Foreign affairs

* Recognition of the People's Republic of China.
* Opposition to French nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.
* Refusal to allow sporting contacts with apartheid South Africa.
* Abolished compulsory military training.The government's foreign policy reflected its desire for independence from the powerful nations of Europe and North America. It was also influenced by the many left-wing movements of the period, such as envrionmentalism, the peace movement, and anti-racism. However in many cases it was simply catching up to the rest of the world, much of which had already recognised the People's Republic of China and cut sporting ties with South Africa. The decision to block a proposed tour by the South African Springbok rugby team was only made once it became clear that international disapproval of the tour would seriously harm the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. Before the 1973 election, Kirk had promised not to get involved in the sporting contacts issuecite book|author=Margaret Hayward|title=Diary of the Kirk Years|publisher=AH & AW Reed|date=1981] .

Constitutional

* Altered the Queen's title in New ZealandThe Royal Titles Act 1974 removed mention of the United Kingdom from the Queen's title in right of New Zealand. This was a symbolic act which made no difference in practical terms, as New Zealand's monarchy was made legally independent with the passing of the Statute of Westminster by the first Labour Government in 1947.
* Passed the Constitution Amendment Act 1973This altered the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 so that the New Zealand Parliament could legislate extra-territorially.
* Lowered the voting age from 20 to 18.

ocial policy

* Establishment of the Domestic Purposes Benefit for single parents.Single parenthood and divorce were no longer as scandalous as they once had been, and the introduction of the DPB reflected this.
* Establishment of compulsory pension savings' scheme.The elderly were the one group of New Zealanders not entitled to non means-tested income support when they were unable to work. Both parties attempted to address this issue: Labour with a compulsory savings scheme and National with a scheme to be paid for out of general taxation. Labour's short-lived scheme was abolished by the third National government and replaced with universal superannuation. [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10465138&pnum=0 Brian Gaynor: How Muldoon threw away NZ's wealth] ]

Formation

By 1972, National had been in power for twelve years, and was seen by many as tired and stale. Long-serving National Prime Minister Keith Holyoake had retired earlier in the year to be replace by Jack Marshall. While generally respected, Marshall lacked the charisma of Labour leader Norman Kirk. Labour's election publicity focussed on Kirk, and used the slogan 'It's Time', signifying that the government had been in power for too long. Labour won 48.37% of the popular vote and 55 seats, to National's 41.5% and 32 seats.

Defeat

Labour was defeated in the 1975 election, after only one term in power. In a reversal of the previous election's results, National won 47.6% of the popular vote and 55 seats, while Labour retained only 39.6% and 32 seats. Several factors contributed to the result:

Leadership

Kirk's death the year before had robbed Labour of its biggest asset. In response to Kirk's popularity, National had replaced Marshall with Robert Muldoon, a brash but popular man who could hold his own against Kirk. Kirk's replacement, Bill Rowling, lacked the charisma of either Kirk or Muldoon, and was the subject of frequent mockery from Muldoon.

Economic factors

New Zealand, like most other countries, was hard hit by the 1973 oil crisis. In addition, Britain had joined the European Economic Community the same year, restricting New Zealand's agricultural exports to its biggest market. Labour seemed to lack the economic skills to handle these crises. By contrast, National's leader, Muldoon, was also its finance spokesperson, and an accountant by profession. He was able to convince many voters that he could solve New Zealand's economic problems.

Ironically, another factor in Labour's defeat was the popularity of National's universal superannuation scheme compared to Labour's compulsory savings programme. Universal superannuation, which replaced Labour's scheme, was to cause major financial headaches for subsequent governments.

ocial factors

Labour's progressive social and cultural policies, which encouraged biculturalism and the growth of Māori culture, may have caused a backlash amongst working class Pakeha, who had traditionally supported Labour. The cancellation of the proposed Springbok Tour was particularly unpopular. Many disliked and distrusted what Kirk's government was doing, but found Muldoon's style and message strongly appealing. This shift, along with the appeal the government's policies had for many middle class intellectuals, helped to change the culture of both parties, in Labour's case permanently. Under Muldoon, National had much more working class support than previously or since. The third Labour government's policies attracted a large university-educated liberal contingent to Labour, transforming the party from its working class, trade union roots. This shift in party culture explains how the fourth Labour government's policies differed so dramatically from those of its predecessors. As a result of this change, Kirk was to be the second to last Labour leader (the last being Mike Moore) to come from a working class and union background rather than be university-educated.

Electoral results

Prime Ministers

Norman Kirk was Prime Minister from the 1972 election until his death in August 1974. He was replaced by Wallace (Bill) Rowling.

Cabinet Ministers

References

*"Labour in Power: Promise and Performance": Editors Ray Goldstein & Rod Alley (1975, Price Milburn for New Zealand University Press) ISBN 0705506118 Published November 1975, shortly before the election, with 17 essays (including Rowling, Muldoon & Beetham).

ee also

*Governments of New Zealand
*New Zealand Labour Party