Rob Muldoon was one of our most polarising PMs, the voice of ‘the ordinary bloke’ to supporters and a dictatorial bully to critics.
Robert Muldoon
Personal details
Full Name:
Robert David Muldoon
Lifetime:
25 Sep 1921 – 5 Aug 1992
Prime Minister:
12 Dec 1975–26 Jul 1984
Age on becoming Prime Minister:
54
Electorate:
Tamaki
Political Party:
National
Biography
Events In History
1 April 1992
The New Zealand Cartoon Archive (now the New Zealand Cartoon and Comics Archive) was launched at a function at the National Library in Wellington by Prime Minister Jim Bolger.
14 June 1984
Prime Minister Robert Muldoon surprised many by announcing a ‘snap’ election to be held in exactly one month’s time.
10 April 1973
Following police warnings of civil strife, Prime Minister Norman Kirk informed the New Zealand Rugby Football Union that the government saw ‘no alternative’ to a 'postponement' of the planned tour by the South African Springboks.
Articles
History of the Governor-General
New Zealand has had a governor or (from 1917) a governor-general since 1840. The work of these men and women has reflected the constitutional and political history of New Zealand in many ways. Read the full article
Page 7 - Patriated
Late last century, New Zealand governments patriated (indigenised) the
1981 Springbok tour
For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other in the largest civil disturbance seen since the 1951 waterfront dispute. The cause of this was the visit of the South African rugby team – the Springboks. Read the full article
Page 5 - Gleneagles Agreement
The All Blacks accepted an invitation to tour South Africa in 1976, when world attention was fixed on the republic because of the Soweto
Page 6 - Battle lines are drawn
Tour supporters were determined that the first Springbok visit to New Zealand since 1965 would not be spoiled. The anti-tour movement was equally determined to show its opposition
Election Days
When New Zealanders go to the polls on 26 November 2011, they will continue a 158-year-old tradition of parliamentary democracy in this country. Politics may have changed beyond recognition since 1853, but the cut and thrust of the campaign trail, the power of advertising, and the drama of polling day remain as relevant as ever. Read the full article
Page 6 - Radio and TV
Electoral advertising was transformed first by radio, and later by
Housing the Prime Minister
Almost 150 years after the government purchased the first official premier's residence on Tinakori Road, Wellington, the address of Premier House remains the same. But in the intervening years the building has been extended, renamed, abandoned and refurbished. Read the full article
Page 4 - Vogel House and Premier House
Since 1975 the official prime minister's residence has been at Vogel House and, since 1990, Premier
Main image: National Party caucus, c. 1979
Prime Minister Robert Muldoon with his National Party caucus.
