# Hugh Watt

_New Zealand politician (1912–1980)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/hugh-watt
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Hugh Watt was a New Zealand politician who was a Labour member of Parliament and the acting prime minister of New Zealand between 31 August and 6 September 1974, following the death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk. He had been the fifth deputy prime minister of New Zealand since 8 December 1972. Watt later served as high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 March 1912 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Perth ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P19))
- **Died:** 4 February 1980 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P570))
- **Place of death:** Auckland ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P20))
- **Citizenship:** New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P106))
- **Political party:** New Zealand Labour Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P102))
- **Education:** Auckland University of Technology ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P69))
- **Positions held:** Prime Minister of New Zealand (1 September 1974 – 6 September 1974); Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand (8 December 1972 – 1 September 1974); Member of the New Zealand Parliament; Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255#P39))

## Questions

**When was Hugh Watt born?**  
Hugh Watt was born on 19 March 1912 in Perth.

**What positions has Hugh Watt held?**  
Positions held by Hugh Watt include: Prime Minister of New Zealand (1974–1974); Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand (1972–1974); Member of the New Zealand Parliament; Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

**Where did Hugh Watt study?**  
Hugh Watt was educated at Auckland University of Technology.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Hugh Watt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Watt) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q4476255](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4476255) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Hugh Watt, 1951 (1).jpg by Photographer unidentified (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hugh_Watt,_1951_(1).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Hugh Watt, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Hugh Watt, 1951 (1).jpg — Photographer unidentified, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Hugh Watt". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/hugh-watt. Retrieved 6 November 2026.