Norman Kirk was elected Prime Minister in 1972, bringing the Labour Party back to power after 12 years of National Party rule.

His two years in office were seen as radical at the time in how he sought to reshape New Zealand’s place in the world, and his legacy has endured as one of the country’s most popular Prime Ministers.

However, on August 31st 1974, Kirk died after a lengthy but private illness with obesity and heart problems.

Today on The Front Page, as we near that 50th anniversary since his death, we’re joined by Victoria University of Wellington professor of history, Jim McAloon, to discuss the legacy of Kirk’s life and death.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

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