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Haurongo: Rowling, Wallace Edward

Big boots to fill

Image
Big boots to fill

Bill Rowling was lampooned for his small stature and mild manner when he succeeded Norman Kirk, a big man. His low-profile approach was sometimes portrayed as weakness and he became the target of cartoons such as this one in 1974.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: H-705-028

Cartoon by Bob Brockie

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

John Henderson. 'Rowling, Wallace Edward', Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau, i tāngia tuatahitia ki 2010. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/cartoon/26834/big-boots-to-fill (accessed 4 June 2026).