1978 Rangitikei by-election

The Rangitikei by-election of 1978 was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Rangitikei, a predominantly rural district in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. The by-election occurred on 18 February 1978, and was precipitated by the death of sitting National Party member of parliament (and Speaker of the House) Sir Roy Jack in December 1977.

1978 Rangitikei by-election
18 February 1978 (1978-02-18)
Turnout14,164
 
Candidate Bruce Beetham Jim Bull Dr J.J. Stewart
Party Social Credit National Labour
Popular vote 6,804 5,469 1,614
Percentage 48.03 38.61 11.39
Member before election

Sir Roy Jack
National

 Elected Member

Bruce Beetham
Social Credit

Background

The by-election was contested by all major parties. It was won by Bruce Beetham, the Social Credit Party candidate, with a majority of 1,335. He became the second Social Credit Party MP in New Zealand's history. This upset was extremely rare in the post-war political climate of New Zealand, especially in a rural electorate that traditionally voted National (although such voting is more likely in a by-election). The National Party candidate Jim Bull came second, the Labour Party candidate (and rugby coach) Dr J.J. Stewart came third and the Values Party candidate Dr Denis Hocking came fourth. J.J. Stewart was a former teacher of Beetham's at New Plymouth Boys' High School who once gave him a caning.[1]

Beetham was the Social Credit leader and had polled a strong second in the seat in 1975. National was hampered as its candidate was only a stand in until the general election later in the year. Sir Roy Jack had planned to retire then, to be replaced by the Minister of Education Les Gandar whose Ruahine seat had been abolished in boundary changes.

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1978 Rangitikei by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Social Credit Bruce Beetham 6,804 48.03 +11.64
National Jim Bull 5,469 38.61 -8.66
Labour Dr John Joseph Stewart 1,614 11.39 -2.63
Values Dr Denis Hocking 264 1.68 +0.12
Independent M. Leniston 13 0.09 -
Majority 1,335 9.42
Turnout 14,164
Social Credit gain from National Swing
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See also
  • Rangitikei by-election (disambiguation), other by-elections for the Rangitikei electorate

Notes
  1. Bryant 1981, p. 13.

References
  • Bryant, George (1981). Beetham. Palmerston North: The Dunmore Press. ISBN 0-908564-73-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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