More Info →The Bikies Mourned, Too

Description

The first image in this pair was taken by staff photographer Phil Green for a story in The Manawatū Evening Standard on 5th September 1974.

"Bikies," once the late Prime Minister's opponents, went to the capital and paid homage to a man that one motor cyclist described as "big-hearted and strong in his convictions." One Cyclist said: "We met our match, and we grew to have a lot of respect for Big Norm." Mr Kirk had made a pre-election pledge to break up large assemblies of motor cyclists at a time when there were many violent outbursts in centres throughout New Zealand." ... "The Black Power gang of motor cyclists joined the pilgrimage to the casket on the Hill and laid the most prized possession - leather jacket with the "Black Power" patch sewed on the back. After a brief debate at the back of Parliament with certain dignitaries, the bikie symbol of sorrow was permitted to go with the more orthodox wreaths to St Paul's Cathedral."

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 5, 1974

Digitisation ID

2023N_2017-20_041365_021

Format

B&W negative

Held In

"Other"