Since the 1969 election, the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, with continued faster population growth in the North Island leading to an increase in the number of general electorates.
[2] Together with increased urbanisation in Christchurch and Nelson, the changes proved very disruptive to existing electorates.
[5] The King Country electorate covered a largely rural area with a dispersed population.
[7] This gave Jim Bolger the opportunity to stand in the new King Country electorate when it was formed in 1972, and the area being a traditional stronghold for National, he won the election with ease.
[8] Bolger became Prime Minister in 1990 while representing the King Country electorate.