title: Shadow Cabinet of Bill Rowling
text: # Shadow Cabinet of Bill Rowling
  
  New Zealand political leader Bill Rowling assembled a shadow cabinet system amongst the Labour caucus following his position change to Leader of the Opposition in 1975. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was leader (1975–83).
  
  As the Labour Party formed the largest party not in government, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
  
  ## List of shadow ministers
  
  | Portfolio | Minister | Start | End |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Leader | Bill Rowling | 12 December 1975 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Deputy Leader | Bob Tizard | 12 December 1975 | 1 November 1979 |
  | Deputy Leader | David Lange | 1 November 1979 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Agriculture | Colin Moyle | 12 December 1975 | 24 December 1976 |
  | Agriculture | Bruce Barclay | 26 February 1977 | 23 March 1979 |
  | Agriculture | Basil Arthur | 23 March 1979 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Attorney-General | Martyn Finlay | 12 December 1975 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Attorney-General | Richard Prebble | 7 December 1978 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Attorney-General | David Lange | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Attorney-General | Frank O'Flynn | 13 March 1981 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Defence | Bill Fraser | 12 December 1975 | 26 February 1977 |
  | Defence | Roger Drayton | 26 February 1977 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Defence | Mick Connelly | 7 December 1978 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Defence | Arthur Faulkner | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Defence | Mick Connelly | 13 March 1981 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Education | Russell Marshall | 12 December 1975 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Finance | Bob Tizard | 12 December 1975 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Finance | Bill Rowling | 14 December 1979 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Finance | Bob Tizard | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Foreign Affairs | Bill Rowling | 12 December 1975 | 26 February 1977 |
  | Foreign Affairs | Warren Freer | 26 February 1977 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Foreign Affairs | Mick Connelly | 7 December 1978 | 23 March 1979 |
  | Foreign Affairs | Bill Rowling | 23 March 1979 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Foreign Affairs | Arthur Faulkner | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Foreign Affairs | David Lange | 13 March 1981 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Health | Jonathan Hunt | 12 December 1975 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Health | Frank O'Flynn | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Health | Michael Bassett | 13 March 1981 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Health | Ann Hercus | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Housing | Roger Douglas | 12 December 1975 | 26 February 1977 |
  | Housing | Bill Fraser | 26 February 1977 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Housing | Fraser Colman | 14 December 1979 | 18 July 1980 |
  | Housing | Mike Moore | 18 July 1980 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Justice | Martyn Finlay | 12 December 1975 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Justice | Richard Prebble | 7 December 1978 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Justice | David Lange | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Justice | Frank O'Flynn | 13 March 1981 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Labour | Arthur Faulkner | 12 December 1975 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Labour | Kerry Burke | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Labour | Eddie Isbey | 13 March 1981 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Labour | Fred Gerbic | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Maori Affairs | Matiu Rata | 12 December 1975 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Maori Affairs | Bill Rowling | 7 December 1978 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Maori Affairs | Koro Wetere | 14 December 1979 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Social Welfare | Mick Connelly | 12 December 1975 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Social Welfare | David Lange | 7 December 1978 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Social Welfare | Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | 14 December 1979 | 13 March 1981 |
  | Social Welfare | Richard Prebble | 13 March 1981 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Social Welfare | Geoffrey Palmer | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Trade and Industry | Warren Freer | 12 December 1975 | 7 December 1978 |
  | Trade and Industry | Joe Walding | 7 December 1978 | 8 May 1981 |
  | Trade and Industry | Roger Douglas | 8 May 1981 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Transport | Basil Arthur | 12 December 1975 | 23 March 1979 |
  | Transport | Ron Bailey | 23 March 1979 | 14 December 1979 |
  | Transport | Roger Douglas | 14 December 1979 | 30 June 1980 |
  | Transport | Fraser Colman | 18 July 1980 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Transport | Richard Prebble | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  | Works and Development | Ron Bailey | 12 December 1975 | 23 March 1979 |
  | Works and Development | Mick Connelly | 23 March 1979 | 19 February 1982 |
  | Works and Development | Fraser Colman | 19 February 1982 | 3 February 1983 |
  
  ## Frontbench teams
  
  ### January 1976
  
  Rowling announced his first shadow cabinet in January 1976. It contained many changes following the defeat of many senior MPs in the 1975 general election and the death of Stan Whitehead.
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade |
  | 2 | Hon Bob Tizard | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance Shadow Minister of Revenue |
  | 3 | Hon Warren Freer | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry |
  | 4 | Hon Martyn Finlay | Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Attorney-General |
  | 5 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister for Social Welfare |
  | 6 | Hon Arthur Faulkner | Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of Employment |
  | 7 | Hon Colin Moyle | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Science & Technology |
  | 8 | Hon Bill Fraser | Shadow Minister of Defence |
  | 9 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Communications |
  | 10 | Hon Matiu Rata | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs |
  | 11 | Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | Shadow Minister of Tourism Shadow Minister for Family Affairs |
  | 12 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Immigration |
  | 13 | Hon Roger Douglas | Shadow Minister of Housing |
  | 14 | Hon Ron Bailey | Shadow Minister of Works and Development |
  | 15 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education |
  | 16 | Bruce Barclay | Shadow Minister of Lands |
  | 17 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation Shadow Minister for the Arts |
  | 18 | Brian MacDonell | Shadow Minister of Customs |
  | 19 | Jonathan Hunt | Shadow Minister of Health |
  | 20 | Koro Wetere | Shadow Minister of Forests |
  | 21 | Roger Drayton | Shadow Minister of State Services Senior Whip |
  | 22 | Trevor Young | Shadow Minister of Energy Junior Whip |
  | 23 | Gerald O'Brien | Shadow Minister of Local Government |
  | 24 | Paddy Blanchfield | Shadow Minister of Fisheries |
  | 25 | Gordon Christie | Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 26 | Paraone Reweti | Shadow Minister of Marine |
  | 27 | Dr Gerry Wall | Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  | 28 | Mary Batchelor | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs |
  | 29 | John Kirk | Shadow Postmaster-General |
  | 30 | Richard Prebble | Shadow Minister for the Environment |
  | 31 | Frank Rogers | Shadow Minister of Statistics |
  
  ### February 1977
  
  Rowling reallocated the portfolios of his shadow cabinet in February 1977 following the resignation of Colin Moyle who left parliament after controversial allegations made the previous year. Gerald O'Brien was relieved of all portfolios also following controversial allegations and recorded as being "on leave".
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  | 2 | Hon Bob Tizard | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance Shadow Minister of Revenue |
  | 3 | Hon Warren Freer | Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry |
  | 4 | Hon Martyn Finlay | Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Attorney-General |
  | 5 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister for Social Welfare |
  | 6 | Hon Arthur Faulkner | Shadow Minister of Labour |
  | 7 | Hon Bill Fraser | Shadow Minister of Housing |
  | 8 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Transport |
  | 9 | Hon Matiu Rata | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs |
  | 10 | Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | Shadow Minister for Family Affairs |
  | 11 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Energy |
  | 12 | Hon Roger Douglas | Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs |
  | 13 | Hon Ron Bailey | Shadow Minister of Works and Development |
  | 14 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education |
  | 15 | Bruce Barclay | Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
  | 16 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation Shadow Minister for the Arts |
  | 17 | Brian MacDonell | Shadow Minister of Customs Shadow Minister for Regional Development |
  | 18 | Jonathan Hunt | Shadow Minister of Health |
  | 19 | Koro Wetere | Shadow Minister of Lands Shadow Minister of Forests |
  | 20 | Roger Drayton | Shadow Minister of Defence Senior Whip |
  | 21 | Trevor Young | Shadow Minister of Immigration Junior Whip |
  | 22 | Paddy Blanchfield | Shadow Minister of Mines |
  | 23 | Gordon Christie | Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 24 | Paraone Reweti | Shadow Minister of Marine |
  | 25 | Dr Gerry Wall | Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister for Race Relations |
  | 26 | Mary Batchelor | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs |
  | 27 | John Kirk | Shadow Minister of Tourism |
  | 28 | Richard Prebble | Shadow Minister for the Environment |
  | 29 | Frank Rogers | Shadow Postmaster-General |
  | 30 | Mel Courtney | Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Horticulture |
  
  ### December 1978
  
  Rowling reshuffled his shadow cabinet in December 1978 following Labour's defeat in the 1978 general election. He reduced the number of spokespersons from 31 to a more manageable 17. It was also notable for the omission of Matiu Rata as Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs, Rowling did not initially allocate the Maori Affairs portfolio to anyone else however.
  
  Rowling announced changes in March 1979 owing to the ongoing illness of Bruce Barclay. Sir Basil Arthur was to act as agriculture spokesman and his shadow transport portfolio was given to Ron Bailey. Bailey's shadow works and development portfolio was given to Mick Connelly, who retained defence and police but the shadow foreign affairs role was transferred to Rowling. At the same time Mary Batchelor became spokesperson for women and family affairs.
  
  There was a minor reshuffle in October 1979. David Caygill was given charge of economic development to ease the workload of Bob Tizard, John Terris was given broadcasting from Ron Bailey and Arthur Faulkner (who at the time was in ill-health) was relieved of electoral reform and accident compensation to Ralph Maxwell and David Butcher respectively. Rowling made the decision to give the responsibilities to first-term MPs to "show off their abilities".
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade |
  | 2 | Hon Bob Tizard | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance Shadow Minister of Revenue |
  | 3 | Hon Joe Walding | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry |
  | 4 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Communications |
  | 5 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister of Defence Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 6 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Energy Shadow Minister for the Environment |
  | 7 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education |
  | 8 | Hon Roger Douglas | Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs |
  | 9 | Hon Arthur Faulkner | Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of Employment |
  | 10 | Hon Warren Freer | Shadow Minister of Regional Development Shadow Minister of Tourism |
  | 11 | Hon Bill Fraser | Shadow Minister of Housing |
  | 12 | Hon Ron Bailey | Shadow Minister of Works and Development |
  | 13 | Bruce Barclay | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Lands Shadow Minister of Forestry Shadow Minister of Fisheries |
  | 14 | Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | Shadow Minister for Family Affairs |
  | 15 | Jonathan Hunt | Shadow Minister of Health |
  | 16 | Richard Prebble | Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Attorney-General |
  | 17 | David Lange | Shadow Minister for Social Welfare |
  | 18 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister of Local Government |
  | | Mary Batchelor | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs |
  | | David Caygill | Shadow Minister of Economic Development |
  | | John Terris | Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  | | David Butcher | Shadow Minister for Accident Compensation |
  | | Ralph Maxwell | Shadow Minister for Electoral Reform |
  
  ### December 1979
  
  Rowling instituted a new system in December 1979 where the shadow cabinet was separated from the party caucus. The shadow cabinet was limited to 15 members, the leader and deputy leader were granted automatic entry with an election held for the remaining 13 positions. The remaining MPs were allocated portfolios in a wider group.
  
  Roger Douglas was sacked from the shadow cabinet on 30 June 1980 for releasing an "Alternative Budget" against Rowling's wishes which caused a minor reshuffle. Douglas' portfolios were given to Fraser Colman, while Colman's Housing portfolio was given to Mike Moore.
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance |
  | 2 | David Lange | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
  | 3 | Hon Bob Tizard | Shadow Minister of Economic Development Shadow Minister of Energy |
  | 4 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Fisheries |
  | 5 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister of Works and Development Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 6 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Housing |
  | 7 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education Senior Whip |
  | 8 | Hon Roger Douglas | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Communications |
  | 9 | Hon Joe Walding | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade |
  | 10 | Hon Arthur Faulkner | Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister of Defence |
  | 11 | Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare Shadow Minister for Family Affairs |
  | 12 | Koro Wetere | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Lands |
  | 13 | Frank O'Flynn | Shadow Minister of Health |
  | 14 | Kerry Burke | Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of State Services |
  | 15 | Dr Michael Bassett | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister of Sport & Recreation |
  | 16 | David Caygill | Associate Shadow Minister of Economic Development |
  | 17 | Stan Rodger | Associate Shadow Minister of Transport Associate Shadow Minister of Communications |
  | 18 | Mike Moore | Associate Shadow Minister for Social Welfare Associate Shadow Minister of Health Associate Shadow Minister of Education |
  | 19 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Associate Shadow Minister of Labour |
  | 20 | Ann Hercus | Shadow Minister of Production and Marketing |
  | 21 | John Terris | Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  | 22 | David Butcher | Shadow Minister for ACC Shadow Minister for Youth |
  | 23 | Ralph Maxwell | Shadow Minister for the Electoral Department |
  | | Mary Batchelor | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs |
  | | Mel Courtney | Shadow Minister of Horticulture |
  | | Jonathan Hunt | Shadow Minister for Constitutional Affairs Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Reform |
  | | John Kirk | Shadow Minister of Railways |
  | | Brian MacDonell | Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs |
  | | Paraone Reweti | Shadow Minister of Marine |
  | | Jack Ridley | Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Minister of Technology |
  | | Frank Rogers | Shadow Postmaster-General |
  | | Dr Gerry Wall | Shadow Minister for Race Relations |
  | | Trevor Young | Shadow Minister of Tourism |
  
  ### March 1981
  
  Rowling reshuffled his shadow cabinet in March 1981 in preparation for the general election scheduled for the end of the year. He did not reinstate Douglas to the shadow cabinet. However, after Joe Walding unexpectedly announced his intention to retire, Rowling did reinstate Douglas to the shadow cabinet as his replacement in the Trade and Industry portfolio.
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance |
  | 2 | David Lange | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs |
  | 3 | Hon Bob Tizard | Shadow Minister of Economic Development Shadow Minister of Energy |
  | 4 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Primary Industries |
  | 5 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister of Works and Development Shadow Minister of Defence Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 6 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education |
  | 7 | Hon Joe Walding | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade |
  | 8 | Koro Wetere | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Lands |
  | 9 | Frank O'Flynn | Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Attorney-General |
  | 10 | Kerry Burke | Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Minister of Science & Technology |
  | 11 | Mike Moore | Shadow Minister of Housing Shadow Minister for the Environment |
  | 12 | Dr Michael Bassett | Shadow Minister for Health |
  | 13 | Richard Prebble | Shadow Minister for Social Welfare Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
  | 14 | David Caygill | Shadow Minister of Local Government |
  | 15 | Ann Hercus | Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister of Stabilization |
  | 16 | Geoffrey Palmer | Shadow Minister of Constitutional Affairs Associate Shadow Minister of Justice |
  | 17 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of Immigration |
  | 18 | Brian MacDonell | Shadow Minister of Customs Shadow Postmaster-General |
  | 19 | Jonathan Hunt | Senior Whip |
  | 20 | Stan Rodger | Junior Whip |
  | 21 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Transport |
  | 22 | John Terris | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  
  ### February 1982
  
  Another election for the shadow cabinet was held on 4 February 1982 following Labour's narrow defeat in the 1981 general election. Two members of the previous shadow cabinet, Michael Bassett and Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, were voted out. Several changes were made to the membership via the caucus election results, after which Rowling reshuffled the portfolios.
  
  | Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio/s |
  | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Rt Hon Bill Rowling | Leader of the Opposition |
  | 2 | David Lange | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs |
  | 3 | Hon Bob Tizard | Shadow Minister of Finance |
  | 4 | Hon Sir Basil Arthur | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Forests |
  | 5 | Russell Marshall | Shadow Minister of Education Shadow Minister of Science and Technology Shadow Minister for the Environment |
  | 6 | Hon Fraser Colman | Shadow Minister of Works and Development Shadow Minister of Mines |
  | 7 | Koro Wetere | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Lands |
  | 8 | Hon Roger Douglas | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry |
  | 9 | Hon Mick Connelly | Shadow Minister of Defence Shadow Minister of Police |
  | 10 | Frank O'Flynn | Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Attorney-General |
  | 11 | Hon Colin Moyle | Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Rural Banking |
  | 12 | Kerry Burke | Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Minister of Regional Development Shadow Minister of Tourism |
  | 13 | Richard Prebble | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Railways Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Shadow Minister of Civil Aviation |
  | 14 | David Caygill | Shadow Minister of Energy |
  | 15 | Ann Hercus | Shadow Minister of Health Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs |
  | 16 | Geoffrey Palmer | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare Shadow Minister for ACC Shadow Minister of Constitutional Affairs |
  | 17 | Mike Moore | Shadow Minister of Housing Shadow Minister of Customs |
  | 18 | Eddie Isbey | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister of Civil Defence Shadow Minister of Sport and Recreation |
  | 19 | Fred Gerbic | Shadow Minister for Labour Shadow Minister of State Services |
  | 20 | Jonathan Hunt | Senior Whip Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
  | 21 | Stan Rodger | Junior Whip Shadow Postmaster-General |
  