Rex John Willing (25 March 1923 – 23 September 2000) was a New Zealand public servant and politician who was the private secretary to Prime Minister Norman Kirk.

When McNamara tendered his resignation (which he assumed would not be accepted) Kirk made no hesitation in promoting Willing to replace him.

[10] He travelled with Kirk on the road when he attended events and conferences, taping speeches and then typing up transcripts of them for publication.

[11] This included accompanying Kirk on his overseas trip to Asia and Australia in December 1973 and January 1974.

[13] He worked close enough with Kirk to notice the strained relations he had with his wife Ruth, particularly after the 1972 election.

Rowling reorganised the prime minister's office staff and did not retain Willing as personal secretary.

[16] In 1976, he made a return to local-body politics when he won a by-election for the Porirua City Council to replace Gary McCormick who had resigned.

Once on the council again, he voted in favour of a motion to refer the controversial appointment of former Lower Hutt deputy mayor John Seddon as Porirua's Town Clerk to the Office of the Ombudsman.