Norman Kirk

Norman Kirk (1923–1974) became Prime Minister when Labour won office in 1972. Throughout his life he had taken a strong stand against racial discrimination. In 1973 his government refused to grant visas to a racially-selected South African rugby team. A photograph of Kirk hand in hand with a young Maori boy at Waitangi on 6 February 1973 seemed to symbolise a new era of race relations.

Kirk's Labour government, including Matiu Rata - an active and talented Minister of Maori Affairs - reformed Maori land law and took significant steps towards the settlement of Treaty of Waitangi claims. The Maori Affairs Amendment Act 1974 brought a major change in Maori land policy. It undid much of the most unpopular aspects of National’s 1967 Amendment Act; in particular those aspects which removed safeguards and facilitated Maori land alienation. The retention of Maori land in the hands of its owners, and its use for their benefit, now became the major consideration.

Another far-reaching Labour innovation under the Kirk leadership was the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, which set up the Waitangi Tribunal. February 6 was also declared a public holiday, and renamed "New Zealand Day". Its more traditional name - Waitangi Day - was later retained, but it remains a public holiday.

Norman Kirk died in office in August 1974.

• See also: Normak Kirk biography at DNZB website