PC

Date of Birth

6 January 1923 at Waimate

Parents

Norman Kirk and Vera Janet Kirk (nee Jury)

Married

Lucy Ruth Miller, Devenport, Auckland, 17 July 1943

Children

Three sons and two daughters

Died

31 August 1974 at Wellington

Education

Linwood Avenue School Christchurch

Honours

Member of the Privy Council 1973

Work experience

• Roof painter at age 12
• Welding apprentice Christchurch Engine cleaner and Fireman NZ Railways, Boilerman
• Vice-President of Auckland Ferry Workers Union at age 20
• Stationary engine driver for tyre company in Christchurch 1948

Local Authority service

Mayor of Kaiapoi 1953-56

Parliamentary career

• Labour MP for Lyttelton 3 terms 1957-66
• Labour MP for Sydneham 1966 until death in 1974
• Labour Party National Executive from 1957 (Vice President 1963, President 1964-66)
• Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party in opposition from 1965-72
• Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs 1972-7

Last updated: 16 Sep 2021