We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The 1975 Leaders Debate

The 1975 Leaders Debate

Television (Full Length) – 1975

This 1975 general election leaders' debate sees Prime Minister Bill Rowling (Labour) square off against contender Robert Muldoon (National) in front of a panel (Bruce Slane, Gordon Dryden, David Beatson). Rowling had been in the job a year, after the death of Norm Kirk, and Muldoon paints him as a drifter in the face of the first oil shock. It was one of three pre-election specials made for NZ TV’s new second channel. This is filmed in black and white, but during this campaign National exploited newly-arrived colour TV via the infamous ‘Dancing Cossacks’ ads.

On these issues the consensus of the New Zealand public is that they like those issues.
– Muldoon

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for David Beatson

David Beatson

Chairman

Generic Profile image for Donald Hope Evans

Donald Hope Evans

Producer

Profile image for Gordon Dryden

Gordon Dryden

Interviewer

Profile image for Anthony Stones

Anthony Stones

Designer

Generic Profile image for David Gale

David Gale

Technical Producer

Generic Profile image for Bruce Slane

Bruce Slane

Interviewer

Produced by

Television Two (TV2)