During its time in office, it carried out a wide range of reforms in areas such as overseas trade, farming, public works, energy generation, local government, health, the arts, sport and recreation, regional development, environmental protection, education, housing, and social welfare.

Initially the country turned instead to the United States, and so entered into the ANZUS pact with the US and Australia, and aided the U.S in the Vietnam War.

The government's foreign policy reflected its desire for independence from the powerful nations of Western Europe and North America.

However, in many cases it was simply catching up to the rest of the world, much of which had already recognised the People's Republic of China and cut sporting ties with South Africa.

[11] This was a means tested statutory benefit for the elderly, which included an allowance for housing costs, an income supplement, and a special expenses item.

As noted by the historian Keith Sinclair, “The Kirk-Rowling Government gave exceptional attention to the needs of the needs of the least privileged – often recent Pacific Island immigrants or 'solo mums'.

Prior to this reform, if a husband had fallen ill while his wife was working, no Social Security payment was made.

In 1974, aid was given to help pay the insurance premiums on the homes of pensioners, and a major effort was undertaken to increase the availability of suitable accommodation for the elderly.

From January 1974 onwards, approved day-care centres for children received a government grant of $4.50 per week per child.

[16] In February 1973, the maximum Advance Payment of Benefit was doubled from $400 to $800 "to be used for home maintenance or provision of essential services."

[17] The amount of income that income-tested beneficiaries could receive before their benefit levels were affected was also increased, while the basic dental service for children was extended to dependants up to the age of eighteen.

Greater flexibility was extended to the State Advances Corporation "in determining the size of average loans "to be made available both at 3 and at 5 per cent."

Savers were entitled to a tax concession of 25% if savings were retained in the account for at least three years and were then put towards the purchase or construction of a first house or apartment.

Improvements were made in the design and planning of State housing accommodation, with additions such as carports, driveways, tree-planting, and landscaping.

"[25] Attempts were made to increase grants to Hospital boards to overcome staff shortages, while specials subsidies were paid to attract doctors to rural and other medically deprived areas.

[26] The national minimum wage was significantly increased, in line with a recommendation of the 1972 Royal Commission on Social Security.

[1] This established the under-rate workers' permit, and enabled persons with an impairment to work in the open labour market and receive a wage that matched their productivity.

[31] This considerably reduced the cost of Fire Services to local authorities (and by extension ratepayers) while raising the contribution of the insurance companies.

[32] This provided police and social workers with the legal authority to intervene in family situations where the child was at risk.

A range of measures were introduced which helped to stabilise farm costs including waiving of interest on loans, the abolition of meat inspection fees, and increased fertiliser subsidies.

[39][40] It provided statutory inducements to save for farm ownership including purchase grants and tax concessions.

According to one study, the Act exemplified the use of legislation "to encourage people to work towards their own betterment, and to save for a stake in the country.

Provision was also made for the equal sharing of the assets on the collapse of a marriage, while courts were given the right to adjudicate in arguments between neighbours over fences and trees.

[3] This prohibited the publication of the names of people charged with crimes “until such time as they were found guilty.”[42] This legislation introduced a government-assisted profit sharing scheme.

It is stipulated by Clause 11 of the First Schedule that food premises must be provided with an adequate supply of clear, wholesome water.

[23] Under this legislation, practical assistance was given to disabled people and those looking after them, including loans for home alterations and motor vehicles.

Long-serving National Prime Minister Keith Holyoake had retired earlier in the year to be replaced by Jack Marshall.

Bill Rowling replaced Kirk, although the party National Executive and the Federation of Labour had preferred Hugh Watt.

In addition, Britain had joined the European Economic Community the same year, restricting New Zealand's agricultural exports to its biggest market.

This shift, along with the appeal the government's policies had for many middle class intellectuals, helped to change the culture of both parties, in Labour's case permanently.