Muldoon, Sir Robert David (1921-1992), served as prime minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. Muldoon led the conservative National Party to victory in parliamentary elections in 1975, 1978, and 1981. The National Party has traditionally favored free enterprise, a system that allows people to carry out most economic activities free from government control. Muldoon was a powerful speaker, often fiercely attacking political opponents and journalists. He was also a firm supporter of ANZUS, a defense treaty formed in 1951 by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
When Muldoon took office, New Zealand’s economy was struggling with inflation (price increases) and other problems. Muldoon’s government attempted to improve conditions through a number of policies. It sought to limit wage and price increases, to cut taxes, and to increase exports. However, during Muldoon’s time in office, the economy suffered from low growth, rising unemployment, and soaring international debt.
Early life and family
Robert David Muldoon—familiarly known as Rob—was born on Sept. 25, 1921, in Auckland, on New Zealand’s North Island. He was the only child of James Henry Muldoon and his wife Amie Rusha Browne Muldoon. Rob’s father had been in poor health since serving in the New Zealand Army during World War I (1914-1918). He worked at various jobs, including meter reader for an electric company and part-time bookkeeper. He was hospitalized through much of Rob’s childhood, and Amie raised the boy largely on her own. At age 5, Rob fell while playing and damaged the muscle on the left side of his face. The accident resulted in a distinctive scar on his left cheek. Rob attended Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland, but he left at age 15 to work as a clerk at a construction firm. 
In 1940, Muldoon joined the New Zealand Army. He served in the South Pacific and in Italy during World War II (1939-1945). While in the Army, Muldoon studied accounting. He also studied in England for about a year after the war. In 1947, Muldoon returned home and worked as an accountant. In 1956, he became president of the New Zealand Institute of Cost Accountants, an accounting organization.
Muldoon joined the National Party in March 1947. On March 17, 1951, he married Thea Dale Flyger, who was also an accountant. He had met her through the National Party. The couple had two daughters, Barbara and Jennifer, and one son, Gavin.
Political life
In 1954 and 1957, Muldoon ran for a seat in New Zealand’s Parliament but was unsuccessful. He ran again in 1960 and won the seat representing Tāmaki, a suburb of Auckland. As a member of Parliament, Muldoon opposed both abortion and capital punishment (the death penalty for crimes).
Muldoon became minister of finance in 1967, in the government of National Party Prime Minister Keith Holyoake. In this position, Muldoon oversaw the change in New Zealand’s currency from the pound to the dollar. After the National Party’s Jack Marshall became prime minister in 1972, Muldoon became deputy prime minister. The Labour Party won control of the government later that year, and Norman Kirk took office as prime minister. Muldoon became leader of the National Party on July 9, 1974. The first of Muldoon’s four volumes of autobiography, The Rise and Fall of a Young Turk, was published the following day.
On Aug. 31, 1974, Prime Minister Kirk died suddenly, and Minister of Finance Wallace (Bill) Rowling replaced him. Muldoon harshly criticized Rowling’s handling of the 1973 energy crisis. To many viewers, Muldoon’s aggressive TV personality made Rowling look weak in comparison. As the 1975 election approached, Muldoon mounted a National Party campaign called “New Zealand the Way You Want It.” The campaign featured advertisements that played on fears and dislike toward Communists, socialists, and foreigners. On November 29, the National Party won the election by a large majority.
Prime minister
Muldoon became prime minister on Dec. 12, 1975. He held the office of finance minister as well. Muldoon immediately reversed the economic policies of the previous administration. His government canceled New Zealand’s national retirement plan, which had recently been introduced. The government replaced the plan with a new program that covered more people but strained the government’s ability to pay for it. As economic troubles continued, the government placed a freeze on wages and prices and had to borrow heavily from other nations. Inflation and the national debt continued to increase.
The National Party maintained its control of the government after elections in 1978 and 1981, even though Labour received more overall votes in each election. Muldoon remained as prime minister.
In 1981, Muldoon refused to prevent the Springboks, the national rugby team of South Africa, from touring New Zealand. The tour sparked controversy because of South Africa’s policy of apartheid. From 1948 to 1991, apartheid was the South African government’s policy of rigid racial segregation. Muldoon’s decision to allow the tour divided New Zealand, and the games triggered demonstrations and protests. Clashes erupted between protesters, police, and rugby fans. Muldoon argued that New Zealand was a free and democratic country, and that “politics should stay out of sport.”
In 1982, the United Kingdom and Argentina fought for control of the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands lie about 320 miles (515 kilometers) off the southeast coast of Argentina. Muldoon broke off relations with Argentina and pledged New Zealand’s allegiance to the British Crown. In 1984, Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand and the United Kingdom knighted Muldoon, and he became Sir Robert Muldoon.
Amid worsening economic conditions, Muldoon called for an election four months ahead of schedule, on July 14, 1984. The Labour Party, led by David Lange, defeated the National Party. Lange became prime minister on July 26. In November, Jim McLay took over as National Party leader. Muldoon remained as a member of Parliament.
Later years
Muldoon did not support McLay, and he helped future prime minister Jim Bolger take control of the National Party in 1986. However, Muldoon’s influence faded quickly. He retired from Parliament on Dec. 17, 1991.
Muldoon became ill soon after his retirement, and he died on Aug. 5, 1992. He is buried at Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank, Auckland.
