Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1962–1963 | 33rd | Buller | Labour | |
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Buller | Labour | |
| 1966–1969 | 35th | Buller | Labour | |
| 1969–1972 | 36th | Buller | Labour | |
| 1972–1975 | 37th | Tasman | Labour | |
| 1975–1978 | 38th | Tasman | Labour | |
| 1978–1981 | 39th | Tasman | Labour | |
| 1981–1984 | 40th | Tasman | Labour | |
In the 1960 election, Rowling was selected as the Labour Party's candidate for the Fendalton electorate in Christchurch. Fendalton was regarded as a safe National seat, and Rowling was defeated by the National Party's Harry Lake (who was appointed Minister of Finance in the new National government). Two years later, however, Rowling successfully contested the by-election for Buller, which had been caused by the death of prominent Labour MP Jerry Skinner. Rowling was to hold this seat until the election of 1972, when the seat was dissolved – Rowling then contested successfully the new seat of Tasman, which intriguingly he did travelling up and down the electorate by Commer campervan, which he lived in for the time.
When the Labour Party won power under Norman Kirk in the 1972 election, Rowling was appointed Minister of Finance. This could be seen as a considerable promotion for someone without prior ministerial experience. Rowling's term as Minister of Finance was somewhat turbulent, with a number of formidable economic challenges arising during his tenure.
Read more about this topic: Bill Rowling
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