High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Sir Wallace Edward Rowling, KCMG (15 November 1927 – 31 October 1995), often known as Bill Rowling, was the 30th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was in office for just over a year, having been appointed Prime Minister following the death of the highly popular Norman Kirk. Rowling was unable to retain the premiership but remained leader of the Labour Party for some time after his defeat.