Rowling, Sir Wallace Edward (1927-1995), usually known as Bill Rowling, was prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party from 1974 to 1975, following the death of his predecessor, Norman Kirk. The Labour Party lost the election in 1975. Rowling was born on Nov. 15, 1927, in Motueka on the South Island. He attended Christchurch Teachers College and Canterbury University, where he earned an M.A. in economics. Rowling was knighted in 1983. From 1985 to 1988, he served as New Zealand's ambassador to the United States. He died on Oct. 31, 1995. See also Kirk, Norman Eric.