1979 Christchurch Central by-election

The Christchurch Central by-election of 1979 was a by-election during the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It was prompted by the death of Bruce Barclay, a Labour Party MP, and resulted in Geoffrey Palmer, also of the Labour Party, being elected to replace him for the seat of Christchurch Central.[1] Palmer would eventually go on to become Prime Minister.[2] The by-election was somewhat embarrassing for the National Party, whose candidate was pushed into third place by Social Credit's Terry Heffernan.

1979 Christchurch Central by-election
18 August 1979 (1979-08-18)
Turnout9,578
 
Candidate Geoffrey Palmer Terry Heffernan David Duncan
Party Labour Social Credit National
Popular vote 6,149 1,759 1,634
Percentage 64.20% 18.37% 17.06
Member before election

Bruce Barclay
Labour

 Elected Member

Geoffrey Palmer
Labour

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1979 Christchurch Central by-election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoffrey Palmer 6,149 64.20 +3.03
Social Credit Terry Heffernan 1,759 18.37 +9.02
National David Duncan 1,634 17.06 -8.55
Tory Suzanne Sadler 26 0.27
Economic Euthenics Tubby Hansen 10 0.10
Majority 4,390 45.83 +10.27
Turnout 9,578 36.00
Registered electors 26,605
Labour hold Swing +11.58

Notes
  1. Wilson 1985, p. 182.
  2. "Geoffrey Palmer". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  3. Norton 1988, p. 206.

References
  • Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946–1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.


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