26 February 1963 1965 → | Start date February 26, 1963 | |
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Winner Arnold Nordmeyer | ||
The New Zealand Labour Party leadership election 1963 was held on 26 February to choose the sixth leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. The election was won by Island Bay MP Arnold Nordmeyer.
Contents
Background
Leader Walter Nash had led Labour since 1951 and after his government's defeat in 1960 announced his intention to retire from the leadership. Both of Nash's deputy leaders had died immediately before the announcement and other potential leadership contenders Michael Moohan, Norman Kirk and Hugh Watt had ruled themselves out.
Arnold Nordmeyer
Arnold Nordmeyer had been a contender for the leadership for many years prior. By 1963 his only convincing rival, Clarence Skinner, had died in April 1962 and Fred Hackett, another contender, had died in early 1963.
Result
As Nordmeyer was the only officially nominated candidate, he was universally elected as leader. Nash remained leader until 31 March and Nordmeyer took over his roles as party leader and Leader of the Opposition.
Aftermath
Nordmeyer would remain the Labour Party's leader until 1965 when he was ousted as leader by Norman Kirk. He led Labour to an election loss in 1963 where Labour's vote did increase though only equated to one extra seat. Deputy leader Hugh Watt remained in his position despite the leadership change.