Hawke’s Bay Reflects Political Upheaval (Press, 16 July 1987)

On 16 July 1987, a political analysis from Brendon Burns in Wellington highlighted the significant upheaval in New Zealand’s political landscape, particularly in the Hawke's Bay electorate. The incumbent Labour MP, Dr Bill Sutton, faced a strong challenge from National Party candidate Michael Laws, who aimed to attract Labour voters by adopting a more left-leaning stance. Laws was notably supported by former Labour candidate Michael Cullen during his campaign efforts. Hawke’s Bay had been profoundly affected by economic changes under the Labour Government, evidenced by the closure of the Whakatu freezing works in October 1986, which eliminated 2,000 jobs and significantly impacted local unemployment rates. Unemployment in the region exceeded 6,000, reflecting broader issues as various factories and businesses, such as the Morrison bicycle factory and Watties, downsized or shut down. Dr Sutton's victory in 1984 had been surprising when he defeated the then-Speaker of the House, Sir Richard Harrison. Since that time, boundary changes had altered the electorate’s demographics, making it more concentrated around urban areas like Napier and Hastings. Sutton's majority had increased nominally from 974 votes in 1984 to about 1,200, but he faced a strong electorate characterised by economic uncertainty. As a former agricultural scientist, Dr Sutton was viewed as a diligent representative, though his quirky image earned him a nickname in Parliament. He acknowledged that unemployment was the central issue but appeared to be struggling to convey a sense of optimism or effectiveness regarding Labour’s policies. The local struggles were apparent when an encounter with two unemployed teenagers illustrated the grim job prospects in the area. Michael Laws, meanwhile, actively campaigned in areas like Flaxmere, which had a significant Māori population and higher rates of unemployment and single-parent families. He openly opposed the free-market economic strategies advocated by the Lange Government and positioned himself as a candidate who understood the concerns of Labour’s traditional supporters. Polling suggested a very close race in Hawke’s Bay, with previous leads changing hands between National and Labour. A notable aspect was the substantial number of undecided voters, which could significantly affect the election outcome. The fate of votes from the New Zealand Party, which had garnered 3,100 in 1984 but had yet to announce a candidate for the current election, was also crucial. Local issues were limited, though parties were promising to address the ongoing sewage problem in Hawke's Bay, which affected public health and safety. Laws proposed a referendum on the death penalty, tapping into local emotions linked to the recent tragic abduction and murder of a local girl, Teresa Cormack. A division on moral reform issues, particularly regarding Dr Sutton’s support for the homosexual law reform bill, might push some conservative voters towards Laws, attracting a segment of the electorate seeking clear and decisive stances on contentious issues. Overall, the campaign was heating up, and with the release of National's policies, Laws was expected to gain traction among voters seeking alternatives amid the prevailing economic dissatisfaction.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand