Skip to main content

Story: City images

Election result, 1951

Click highlighted area to view detail

The results of the 1951 election highlighted a rural-urban divide, almost certainly exacerbated by the recent waterfront dispute. The incumbent National government gained most support in rural electorates and the Labour opposition in urban electorates. National secured a remarkable 54% of the vote and was returned to office with an increased majority.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Sources: Clifford Norton, New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington, 1988, pp. 7–9; Alan McRobie, New Zealand electoral atlas. Wellington: GP Books, 1989, pp. 94–97

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Ben Schrader, City images – City versus country, 20th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/25296/election-result-1951 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ben Schrader, published 3 March 2010.