More Info →A Lone Piper Plays a Last Lament

Description

The first image in this pair was taken by staff photographer Phil Green, for a story that ran in The Manawatū Evening Standard on 4th September 1974.

"The skirl of Wally Gordon's bagpipes playing a lament wafted through the rooms of Parliament last night. With the consent of the late Prime Minister's son Raymond, the ageing Scott who played at Peter Fraser's funeral gave his all. "It is a tragic loss," said the piper who for many years in his working life fitted the Prime Minister with suits. "A fine stature of a man.""

Norman Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand. Leader of the Labour Party since 1965, he became Prime Minister in 1972. Affectionately known as “Big Norm,” his popularity, commanding presence, and commitment to government earned him respect throughout Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. When he died suddenly in office on 31 August 1974 at the age of 51, there was a huge outpouring of public grief. The entire nation stopped and mourned. His state funeral was held 4 September 1974 at St Paul’s Cathedral in Wellington, and he was buried at Waimate Cemetery in the South Island. Norman Kirk was the 5th New Zealand Premier or Prime Minister to die in office.

Identification

Object type

Image

Archive

Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection

Relation

2017-20

Date

September 4, 1974

Digitisation ID

2023N_2017-20_041365_035

Format

B&W negative

Held In

"Other"