Content deleted Content added
Line 150:
}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
Moore began his parliamentary career when elected as the MP for [[Eden (New Zealand electorate)|Eden]] in 1972, becoming the youngest MP at 23 years of age, where he served for one term before being defeated in the {{NZ election link|1975}}.{{sfn|Wilson|1985|p=221}}<ref name="ZB obituary">{{cite news |title=Former NZ PM Mike Moore dies aged 71 |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/former-prime-minister-mike-moore-passes-away-at-71/ |access-date=2 February 2020 |work=NewstalkZB |date=2 February 2020}}</ref> Following the announcement of [[Norman Douglas (politician)|Norman Douglas]]' retirement from the safe {{NZ electorate link|Auckland Central}} seat there was much speculation that Moore would seek the Auckland Central nomination. The media considered Moore one of the most able [[backbencher]]s in the Labour Party, however Moore decided to stand in the marginal Eden seat once again.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last Term for Mr Douglas |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=18 October 1974 |page=1 }}</ref> Once again Moore was offered a safer seat when he was approached to replace cabinet minister [[Hugh Watt]] in {{NZ electorate link|Onehunga}}, Watt encouraged him and even offered to campaign on Moore's behalf. However Moore declined wishing to remain in Eden to show confidence in Labour and its new leader [[Bill Rowling]]'s ability to win the election.{{sfn|Parussini|2020|pp=
After his election loss in Eden, the Moores visited [[Warren Freer]], and were insistent that he resign from {{NZ electorate link|Mount Albert}} so that Moore could take his place. Freer (who retired in 1981) said he had no intention of resigning and further stated there was no guarantee that he would be selected to replace Freer.{{sfn|Freer|2004|p=226}} Moore also developed cancer and had to have surgery to remove cancerous growths. He concealed this from the public fearing he would never win nomination for a seat if his condition was revealed.{{sfn|Parussini|2020|pp=
Moore was then elected Labour's youth vice-president and proceeded to contest the Labour nomination in the [[1977 Mangere by-election]] following the resignation of [[Colin Moyle]]. He was seen as a frontrunner but lost to local lawyer [[David Lange]], who would go on to become Prime Minister in 1984. Several months later Moore then sought to be Labour's candidate in the newly formed [[Papatoetoe (New Zealand electorate)|Papatoetoe]] electorate but again missed out on selection against [[Grey Lynn (New Zealand electorate)|Grey Lynn]] MP [[Eddie Isbey]]. By the time of his second rejection for a candidature in an Auckland seat he had received invitations from Labour Party organisers in 16 electorates elsewhere in New Zealand prompting him to consider moving from Auckland in order to gain re-election to Parliament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr Moore is Taking Time to Choose |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 October 1977 |page=3 }}</ref>
| |||