Holland, albeit reluctantly, announced his retirement from the leadership at the National's annual party conference on 12 August 1957 held in Christchurch.

[2] Although his retirement was announced in August, Holland's continued presence prevented his successor, the deputy prime minister Holyoake, from establishing himself as a leader until late October, when at last he formed his own ministry which was still largely the same as his predecessor's.

[3] Labour opened its campaign on 5 November with Nash broadcasting a speech from the Auckland Town Hall (despites some reservations of it coinciding with Guy Fawkes night).

Nash would give over twenty other speeches at public meetings throughout the country where he attracted large and receptive crowds.

One daytime meeting late in the campaign, Nash arrived behind schedule, and a crowd of employees forfeited an hour's pay (having already taken their lunchbreak) so they could hear him speak.

[4] In terms of policy, the election campaign was dominated largely by financial issues, particularly regarding the introduction of the PAYE system of income tax.

As a campaign promise, Labour announced that in the year that PAYE commenced, there would be a flat rebate of £100 on income tax.

[6] Labour also campaigned to abolish compulsory military training, opposing nuclear tests, 3% housing loans, increased pension payments, free textbooks for school children and industrialisation.