Rangitikei by-election 1978
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The Rangitikei by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Rangitikei, a predominantly rural district in the middle of New Zealand's North Island. The by-election occurred on 18 February 1978, and was precipitated by the death of sitting National Party MP (and Speaker of the House) Sir Roy Jack in December 1977.
The by-election was contested by all major parties. It was won by Bruce Beetham, the Social Credit Party candidate, with a majority of 1,335. He became the second Social Credit Party MP in New Zealand's history, which created a major stir in Parliament as it was extremely rare in the post-war political climate of New Zealand, especially in a rural electorate that would have been tradtionally won by National. The National Party candidate Jim Bull came second, the Labour Party candidate Dr J.J. Stewart came third and the Values Party candidate Dr Hocking came fourth.
