Norman Kirk

Norman Eric Kirk (born 6 January 1923 in Waimate, New Zealand, † August 31, 1974 in Wellington ) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party and from 1972 until his death, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Kirk was born on January 6 in a working class family. Shortly before his thirteenth birthday, he left school, but continued to visit libraries and was particularly interested in history and geography. He worked in various jobs, including as a painter and on the web. Due to his poor health, he was not drafted during the Second World War.

In 1943, he joined the Labour Party in 1953 he became mayor of Kaiapoi. After an unsuccessful attempt in 1954 for the constituency of Hurunui enter parliament he joined in 1957 successfully in the constituency Lyttelton.

During his political career, Kirk spoke in favor of the welfare state, which brought in populations in great sympathy. He rose to his party, in 1963 Vice-Chairman and 1965 leading candidate for the election in 1966.

Kirk remained opposition leader until he replaced Jack Marshall in 1972 as Prime Minister. He sat down especially for better contacts between his country and Africa and Asia, and spoke out against French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Due to the apartheid regime, he refused unlike Robert Muldoon a South African rugby team a tour of New Zealand. During his tenure, the Neuseelandtag has been introduced.

Due to its heavy workload, his health deteriorated further. In August 1974, he was admitted to a hospital, where he died three days later. He was married to Lucy Ruth Miller since 1943 and had three sons and two daughters.

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