Story: Premiers and prime ministers

Norman 'Big Norm' Kirk

‘Norm is the fairy on our Christmas tree/handing out presents to the elderly’ were lines from the tongue-in-cheek tune ‘Big Norm’ that Wellington pop duo Ebony took to number four in the charts. The song stuck in people’s minds and featured on this tribute album released after the charismatic prime minister’s unexpected death in 1974.

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How to cite this page:

Gavin McLean, 'Premiers and prime ministers - Towards modern leadership', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/33196/norman-big-norm-kirk (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Gavin McLean, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Dec 2016