Andersen's opposition to then National Party Prime Minister Robert Muldoon made him a household name in New Zealand during the 1970s.
[1] He stood for parliament in the safe National seat of Tamaki against Muldoon in the 1972, 1975, 1978 and 1981 elections, receiving 108, 39, 62 and 188 votes respectively.
[2] Whenever the two flew from Auckland to Wellington, sympathetic NAC and Air New Zealand staff ensured the two leaders were seated next to each other.
Bill Andersen supported the Ngāti Whātua occupation of Bastion Point, now the site of Ōrākei marae.
Despite requests for no funeral, a large group gathered for a memorial ceremony to him at Ōrākei Marae which was attended by workers and activists as well as cabinet ministers, local councillors and mayors.