More Info →2023N_2017-20_041367_017

Description

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

"Hundreds wept in the rain, and thousands more bowed their heads as Mr Kirk's casket was borne from Parliament Buildings to St Paul's Cathedral, just a short distance away." ... "Cabinet Ministers, who had lifted the casket from the honoured position in the Parliament's foyer to the top of the steps, flanked the casket as it slowly descended to the waiting hearse." A police party of eight carried it down, while the chairman of committees, Mr R. L. Bailey, walked behind.

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_041367_017

Format

B&W negative

Held In

"Other"