Norman Kirk's house survives earthquake

Norman Kirk in full cry at the opening of the Labour Party election campaign in the Auckland Town Hall in 1969. Photo / NZ Herald

The house built by hand by celebrated Labour Prime Minister and Kaiapoi Mayor Norman Kirk survived last weekend's earthquake relatively unscathed.

Waimakariri District Council assessed the house at 12 Carew St, Kaiapoi, yesterday and gave it a "green" rating, meaning little or no damage.

Kirk paid 40 pounds for the section in the 1950s and built the house himself after work and during weekends, right down to the casting of the bricks.

Elected in 1953, at 30 Kirk was the youngest mayor elected in New Zealand at the time. He was mayor until 1957 when he won the Lyttelton seat in the general election.

"Big Norm", as he was known, was elected Prime Minister in 1972 and seemed destined to be one of the country's great leaders, but tragically died just two years later of heart disease, aged 51.

- NZ Herald staff