Following the death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk in 1974 the party (and Bassett) were defeated in the following (1975) election.

Soon after returning to Parliament, he was appointed Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Sport & Recreation.

[13] After winning a second term, Bassett retained only the Local Government portfolio but was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, Civil Defence and Arts and Culture in 1987.

Bassett also served as chairman of the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and of the 1990 Commission, tasked with the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

In his capacity as Minister of Internal Affairs he also helped to reorganise Waitangi Day celebrations and to encourage them around New Zealand.

[15] After leaving the cabinet he was selected to represent the New Zealand government at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held in Zimbabwe in September 1990.

These factors include robust health, high energy levels, a good temperament, intelligence, a willingness to take the right, as opposed to the politically expedient, decision, a modicum of luck, a supportive spouse and charisma.

Bassett had suggested that Lange should stand on the Labour ticket for the Auckland City Council in 1974.

The council was dominated by conservative interests and the only Labour candidates elected were Jim Anderton and Catherine Tizard; Lange was "halfway down the field .... which was better than I expected".

[25] He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as an historian, in the 2018 New Year Honours.