More Info →Back Issues: The election campaign that turned a swing seat red

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Since World War 2, Palmerston North was considered a swing seat, with National or Labour candidates winning elections. In 1978 it was the country's second most marginal seat and the two parties battled for the city. Party leaders held several local contentious meetings, with protest action directed mainly at National leader Robert Muldoon. The seat was won by Labour's Joe Walding and has since been held by the Labour Party. (2024).