More Info →2023N_2017-20_041366_036

Description: These unpublished images were taken by staff photographer Phil Green, for a story that ran in The Manawatū Evening Standard on 5th September 1974.

"...overseas dignitaries who attended Mr Kirk's funeral will have left by the end of the week. Most left today." ... "Others who left yesterday included Canada's representative, Mr R. J. Perrault, leader of the Government in the Senate, the Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, former Japanese Foreign Minister Mr Zentaro Kosaka, Mr Edward Short, Lord President of the Privy Council and leader of Britain's House of Commons, and Hotswana's woman High Commissioner in London, Mrs G. Chiepe. Mr Michael Somare, Chief Minister of Papua-New Guinea, Prince Tu'ipelehake, Prime Minister of Tonga and the United States Representative, Mr P. J. Breannan America's Secretary of Labour, left today."

It is likely the cars photographed at the Wellington Airport were to transport VIPs.

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.