Shadow Cabinet of Bill Rowling

New Zealand political leader Bill Rowling assembled a shadow cabinet system amongst the Labour caucus following his position change to Leader of the Opposition in 1975. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was leader (1975–83).

As the Labour Party formed the largest party not in government, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition of the New Zealand House of Representatives.

List of shadow ministers

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Portfolio Minister Start End
Leader Bill Rowling 12 December 1975 3 February 1983
Deputy Leader Bob Tizard 12 December 1975 1 November 1979
David Lange 1 November 1979 3 February 1983
Agriculture Colin Moyle 12 December 1975 24 December 1976
Bruce Barclay 26 February 1977 23 March 1979
Basil Arthur 23 March 1979 3 February 1983
Attorney-General Martyn Finlay 12 December 1975 7 December 1978
Richard Prebble 7 December 1978 14 December 1979
David Lange 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Frank O'Flynn 13 March 1981 3 February 1983
Defence Bill Fraser 12 December 1975 26 February 1977
Roger Drayton 26 February 1977 7 December 1978
Mick Connelly 7 December 1978 14 December 1979
Arthur Faulkner 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Mick Connelly 13 March 1981 3 February 1983
Education Russell Marshall 12 December 1975 3 February 1983
Finance Bob Tizard 12 December 1975 14 December 1979
Bill Rowling 14 December 1979 19 February 1982
Bob Tizard 19 February 1982 3 February 1983
Foreign Affairs Bill Rowling 12 December 1975 26 February 1977
Warren Freer 26 February 1977 7 December 1978
Mick Connelly 7 December 1978 23 March 1979
Bill Rowling 23 March 1979 14 December 1979
Arthur Faulkner 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
David Lange 13 March 1981 3 February 1983
Health Jonathan Hunt 12 December 1975 14 December 1979
Frank O'Flynn 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Michael Bassett 13 March 1981 19 February 1982
Ann Hercus 19 February 1982 3 February 1983
Housing Roger Douglas 12 December 1975 26 February 1977
Bill Fraser 26 February 1977 14 December 1979
Fraser Colman 14 December 1979 18 July 1980
Mike Moore 18 July 1980 3 February 1983
Justice Martyn Finlay 12 December 1975 7 December 1978
Richard Prebble 7 December 1978 14 December 1979
David Lange 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Frank O'Flynn 13 March 1981 3 February 1983
Labour Arthur Faulkner 12 December 1975 14 December 1979
Kerry Burke 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Eddie Isbey 13 March 1981 19 February 1982
Fred Gerbic 19 February 1982 3 February 1983
Maori Affairs Matiu Rata 12 December 1975 7 December 1978
Bill Rowling 7 December 1978 14 December 1979
Koro Wetere 14 December 1979 3 February 1983
Social Welfare Mick Connelly 12 December 1975 7 December 1978
David Lange 7 December 1978 14 December 1979
Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan 14 December 1979 13 March 1981
Richard Prebble 13 March 1981 19 February 1982
Geoffrey Palmer 19 February 1982 3 February 1983
Trade and Industry Warren Freer 12 December 1975 7 December 1978
Joe Walding 7 December 1978 8 May 1981
Roger Douglas 8 May 1981 3 February 1983
Transport Basil Arthur 12 December 1975 23 March 1979
Ron Bailey 23 March 1979 14 December 1979
Roger Douglas 14 December 1979 30 June 1980
Fraser Colman 18 July 1980 19 February 1982
Richard Prebble 19 February 1982 3 February 1983
Works and Development Ron Bailey 12 December 1975 23 March 1979
Mick Connelly 23 March 1979 19 February 1982
Fraser Colman 19 February 1982 3 February 1983

Frontbench teams

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January 1976

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Rowling announced his first shadow cabinet in January 1976. It contained many changes following the defeat of many senior MPs in the 1975 general election and the death of Stan Whitehead.[1]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
2 Hon Bob Tizard Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Finance
Shadow Minister of Revenue
3 Hon Warren Freer Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
4 Hon Martyn Finlay Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Attorney-General
5 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister for Social Welfare
6 Hon Arthur Faulkner Shadow Minister of Labour
Shadow Minister of Employment
7 Hon Colin Moyle Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Science & Technology
8 Hon Bill Fraser Shadow Minister of Defence
9 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Transport
Shadow Minister of Communications
10 Hon Matiu Rata Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs
11 Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan Shadow Minister of Tourism
Shadow Minister for Family Affairs
12 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Immigration
13 Hon Roger Douglas Shadow Minister of Housing
14 Hon Ron Bailey Shadow Minister of Works and Development
15 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
16 Bruce Barclay Shadow Minister of Lands
17 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation
Shadow Minister for the Arts
18 Brian MacDonell Shadow Minister of Customs
19 Jonathan Hunt Shadow Minister of Health
20 Koro Wetere Shadow Minister of Forests
21 Roger Drayton Shadow Minister of State Services
Senior Whip
22 Trevor Young Shadow Minister of Energy
Junior Whip
23 Gerald O'Brien Shadow Minister of Local Government
24 Paddy Blanchfield Shadow Minister of Fisheries
25 Gordon Christie Shadow Minister of Police
26 Paraone Reweti Shadow Minister of Marine
27 Dr Gerry Wall Shadow Minister of Broadcasting
28 Mary Batchelor Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs
29 John Kirk Shadow Postmaster-General
30 Richard Prebble Shadow Minister for the Environment
31 Frank Rogers Shadow Minister of Statistics

February 1977

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Rowling reallocated the portfolios of his shadow cabinet in February 1977 following the resignation of Colin Moyle who left parliament after controversial allegations made the previous year. Gerald O'Brien was relieved of all portfolios also following controversial allegations and recorded as being "on leave".[2]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Broadcasting
2 Hon Bob Tizard Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Finance
Shadow Minister of Revenue
3 Hon Warren Freer Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
4 Hon Martyn Finlay Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Attorney-General
5 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister for Social Welfare
6 Hon Arthur Faulkner Shadow Minister of Labour
7 Hon Bill Fraser Shadow Minister of Housing
8 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Transport
9 Hon Matiu Rata Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs
10 Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan Shadow Minister for Family Affairs
11 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Energy
12 Hon Roger Douglas Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs
13 Hon Ron Bailey Shadow Minister of Works and Development
14 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
15 Bruce Barclay Shadow Minister of Agriculture
16 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation
Shadow Minister for the Arts
17 Brian MacDonell Shadow Minister of Customs
Shadow Minister for Regional Development
18 Jonathan Hunt Shadow Minister of Health
19 Koro Wetere Shadow Minister of Lands
Shadow Minister of Forests
20 Roger Drayton Shadow Minister of Defence
Senior Whip
21 Trevor Young Shadow Minister of Immigration
Junior Whip
22 Paddy Blanchfield Shadow Minister of Mines
23 Gordon Christie Shadow Minister of Police
24 Paraone Reweti Shadow Minister of Marine
25 Dr Gerry Wall Shadow Minister of Local Government
Shadow Minister for Race Relations
26 Mary Batchelor Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs
27 John Kirk Shadow Minister of Tourism
28 Richard Prebble Shadow Minister for the Environment
29 Frank Rogers Shadow Postmaster-General
30 Mel Courtney Shadow Minister of Fisheries
Shadow Minister of Horticulture

December 1978

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Rowling reshuffled his shadow cabinet in December 1978 following Labour's defeat in the 1978 general election. He reduced the number of spokespersons from 31 to a more manageable 17. It was also notable for the omission of Matiu Rata as Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs, Rowling did not initially allocate the Maori Affairs portfolio to anyone else however.[3][4]

Rowling announced changes in March 1979 owing to the ongoing illness of Bruce Barclay. Sir Basil Arthur was to act as agriculture spokesman and his shadow transport portfolio was given to Ron Bailey. Bailey's shadow works and development portfolio was given to Mick Connelly, who retained defence and police but the shadow foreign affairs role was transferred to Rowling. At the same time Mary Batchelor became spokesperson for women and family affairs.[5]

There was a minor reshuffle in October 1979. David Caygill was given charge of economic development to ease the workload of Bob Tizard, John Terris was given broadcasting from Ron Bailey and Arthur Faulkner (who at the time was in ill-health) was relieved of electoral reform and accident compensation to Ralph Maxwell and David Butcher respectively. Rowling made the decision to give the responsibilities to first-term MPs to "show off their abilities".[6][7]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
2 Hon Bob Tizard Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Finance
Shadow Minister of Revenue
3 Hon Joe Walding Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
4 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Transport
Shadow Minister of Communications
5 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shadow Minister of Defence
Shadow Minister of Police
6 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Energy
Shadow Minister for the Environment
7 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
8 Hon Roger Douglas Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs
9 Hon Arthur Faulkner Shadow Minister of Labour
Shadow Minister of Employment
10 Hon Warren Freer Shadow Minister of Regional Development
Shadow Minister of Tourism
11 Hon Bill Fraser Shadow Minister of Housing
12 Hon Ron Bailey Shadow Minister of Works and Development
13 Bruce Barclay Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Lands
Shadow Minister of Forestry
Shadow Minister of Fisheries
14 Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan Shadow Minister for Family Affairs
15 Jonathan Hunt Shadow Minister of Health
16 Richard Prebble Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Attorney-General
17 David Lange Shadow Minister for Social Welfare
18 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister of Local Government
Mary Batchelor Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs
David Caygill Shadow Minister of Economic Development
John Terris Shadow Minister of Broadcasting
David Butcher Shadow Minister for Accident Compensation
Ralph Maxwell Shadow Minister for Electoral Reform

December 1979

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Rowling instituted a new system in December 1979 where the shadow cabinet was separated from the party caucus. The shadow cabinet was limited to 15 members, the leader and deputy leader were granted automatic entry with an election held for the remaining 13 positions. The remaining MPs were allocated portfolios in a wider group.[8][9]

Roger Douglas was sacked from the shadow cabinet on 30 June 1980 for releasing an "Alternative Budget" against Rowling's wishes which caused a minor reshuffle.[10] Douglas' portfolios were given to Fraser Colman, while Colman's Housing portfolio was given to Mike Moore.[11]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Finance
2 David Lange Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
3 Hon Bob Tizard Shadow Minister of Economic Development
Shadow Minister of Energy
4 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Fisheries
5 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister of Works and Development
Shadow Minister of Police
6 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Housing
7 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
Senior Whip
8 Hon Roger Douglas Shadow Minister of Transport
Shadow Minister of Communications
9 Hon Joe Walding Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
10 Hon Arthur Faulkner Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shadow Minister of Defence
11 Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan Shadow Minister of Social Welfare
Shadow Minister for Family Affairs
12 Koro Wetere Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs
Shadow Minister of Lands
13 Frank O'Flynn Shadow Minister of Health
14 Kerry Burke Shadow Minister of Labour
Shadow Minister of State Services
15 Dr Michael Bassett Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs
Shadow Minister of Local Government
Shadow Minister of Sport & Recreation
16 David Caygill Associate Shadow Minister of Economic Development
17 Stan Rodger Associate Shadow Minister of Transport
Associate Shadow Minister of Communications
18 Mike Moore Associate Shadow Minister for Social Welfare
Associate Shadow Minister of Health
Associate Shadow Minister of Education
19 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations
Associate Shadow Minister of Labour
20 Ann Hercus Shadow Minister of Production and Marketing
21 John Terris Shadow Minister of Broadcasting
22 David Butcher Shadow Minister for ACC
Shadow Minister for Youth
23 Ralph Maxwell Shadow Minister for the Electoral Department
Mary Batchelor Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs
Mel Courtney Shadow Minister of Horticulture
Jonathan Hunt Shadow Minister for Constitutional Affairs
Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Reform
John Kirk Shadow Minister of Railways
Brian MacDonell Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs
Paraone Reweti Shadow Minister of Marine
Jack Ridley Shadow Minister of Employment
Shadow Minister of Technology
Frank Rogers Shadow Postmaster-General
Dr Gerry Wall Shadow Minister for Race Relations
Trevor Young Shadow Minister of Tourism

March 1981

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Rowling reshuffled his shadow cabinet in March 1981 in preparation for the general election scheduled for the end of the year. He did not reinstate Douglas to the shadow cabinet.[12] However, after Joe Walding unexpectedly announced his intention to retire, Rowling did reinstate Douglas to the shadow cabinet as his replacement in the Trade and Industry portfolio.[13]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Finance
2 David Lange Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
3 Hon Bob Tizard Shadow Minister of Economic Development
Shadow Minister of Energy
4 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Primary Industries
5 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister of Works and Development
Shadow Minister of Defence
Shadow Minister of Police
6 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
7 Hon Joe Walding Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
8 Koro Wetere Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs
Shadow Minister of Lands
9 Frank O'Flynn Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Attorney-General
10 Kerry Burke Shadow Minister of Employment
Shadow Minister of Science & Technology
11 Mike Moore Shadow Minister of Housing
Shadow Minister for the Environment
12 Dr Michael Bassett Shadow Minister for Health
13 Richard Prebble Shadow Minister for Social Welfare
Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
14 David Caygill Shadow Minister of Local Government
15 Ann Hercus Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs
Shadow Minister of Stabilization
16 Geoffrey Palmer Shadow Minister of Constitutional Affairs
Associate Shadow Minister of Justice
17 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister of Labour
Shadow Minister of Immigration
18 Brian MacDonell Shadow Minister of Customs
Shadow Postmaster-General
19 Jonathan Hunt Senior Whip
20 Stan Rodger Junior Whip
21 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Transport
22 John Terris Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs
Shadow Minister of Broadcasting

February 1982

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Another election for the shadow cabinet was held on 4 February 1982 following Labour's narrow defeat in the 1981 general election.[14] Two members of the previous shadow cabinet, Michael Bassett and Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, were voted out. Several changes were made to the membership via the caucus election results, after which Rowling reshuffled the portfolios.[15]

Rank Shadow Minister Portfolio/s
1 Rt Hon Bill Rowling Leader of the Opposition
2 David Lange Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs
3 Hon Bob Tizard Shadow Minister of Finance
4 Hon Sir Basil Arthur Shadow Minister of Agriculture
Shadow Minister of Fisheries
Shadow Minister of Forests
5 Russell Marshall Shadow Minister of Education
Shadow Minister of Science and Technology
Shadow Minister for the Environment
6 Hon Fraser Colman Shadow Minister of Works and Development
Shadow Minister of Mines
7 Koro Wetere Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs
Shadow Minister of Lands
8 Hon Roger Douglas Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
9 Hon Mick Connelly Shadow Minister of Defence
Shadow Minister of Police
10 Frank O'Flynn Shadow Minister of Justice
Shadow Attorney-General
11 Hon Colin Moyle Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade
Shadow Minister of Rural Banking
12 Kerry Burke Shadow Minister of Employment
Shadow Minister of Regional Development
Shadow Minister of Tourism
13 Richard Prebble Shadow Minister of Transport
Shadow Minister of Railways
Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
Shadow Minister of Civil Aviation
14 David Caygill Shadow Minister of Energy
15 Ann Hercus Shadow Minister of Health
Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs
16 Geoffrey Palmer Shadow Minister of Social Welfare
Shadow Minister for ACC
Shadow Minister of Constitutional Affairs
17 Mike Moore Shadow Minister of Housing
Shadow Minister of Customs
18 Eddie Isbey Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs
Shadow Minister of Local Government
Shadow Minister of Civil Defence
Shadow Minister of Sport and Recreation
19 Fred Gerbic Shadow Minister for Labour
Shadow Minister of State Services
20 Jonathan Hunt Senior Whip
Shadow Minister of Broadcasting
21 Stan Rodger Junior Whip
Shadow Postmaster-General

References

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  1. ^ "Surprises Among Party Spokesmen". The New Zealand Herald. 30 January 1976. p. 10.
  2. ^ "Labour reshuffles its Parliamentary spokesmen". The Press. 26 February 1977. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Mr Rata Not In Labour Line-up". The New Zealand Herald. 8 December 1978. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Rowling shuffles his pack". Auckland Star. 9 December 1978. p. 3.
  5. ^ "Labour changes spokesmen". The Press. 24 March 1979. p. 4.
  6. ^ "Terris heads caucus committee". The Evening Post. 24 October 1979. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Caygill goes up Labour ladder". Auckland Star. 24 October 1979. p. 10.
  8. ^ "Heads of Labour Posts Named". The New Zealand Herald. 15 December 1979. p. 12.
  9. ^ "The Team". The New Zealand Herald. 15 December 1979. p. 12.
  10. ^ "Labour reshuffle on?". Auckland Star. 16 July 1980. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Rowling shuffles 'shadows'". Auckland Star. 18 July 1980. p. 3.
  12. ^ "Labour's shadow line-up". The Evening Post. 13 March 1981. p. 4.
  13. ^ "Douglas back into favour". The Evening Post. 8 May 1981. p. 14.
  14. ^ "Shadow Cabinet Election Today". The New Zealand Herald. 4 February 1982. p. 5.
  15. ^ "How They Line-up". The New Zealand Herald. 20 February 1982. p. 3.