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Sir Wallace Edward Rowling
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Sir Wallace Edward Rowling

prime minister of New Zealand
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Also known as: Bill Rowling
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Quick Facts
Byname:
Bill Rowling
Born:
Nov. 15, 1927, Motueka, N.Z.
Died:
Oct. 31, 1995, Nelson
Also Known As:
Bill Rowling
Title / Office:
prime minister (1974-1975), New Zealand
Political Affiliation:
New Zealand Labour Party
See all related content

Sir Wallace Edward Rowling (born Nov. 15, 1927, Motueka, N.Z.—died Oct. 31, 1995, Nelson) was an educator and politician who upon the death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk was elected premier of New Zealand (1974–75).

Rowling was a lecturer in economics when he entered politics; he became a member of Parliament (1962) and president of the Labour Party (1970–72). He was minister of finance (1972) when he was chosen by the party to succeed the late prime minister. His government’s effort to retrieve the economy ended with an upset victory by the National Party in 1975. Rowling continued to lead the Labour Party but lost two more general elections. Upon retiring from the party’s leadership in 1983, he was knighted. He served as ambassador to the United States from 1985 to 1988.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.