The New Zealand Labour Party celebrates its centenary this year. To commemorate the occasion, over the next few weeks, Midweek takes a look at the party and some of its local stalwarts.
A brief history of the Labour Party
The Labour Party and its principles had their origins in the battle by working people for a fair society and for a voice in politics, which began after European settlement in the 1840s.
The New Zealand Labour Party was formed on July 7, 1916 in Wellington, making it New Zealand's oldest existing political party. The party brought together trade unionists, radicals and progressives who had belonged to different (and quarrelsome) left-wing groups. While there had been a few labour and socialist MPs before 1916, the Labour Party entered Parliament in 1919 when it won eight seats. During the 1920s it established itself as a viable political force and it became the official opposition in 1926.
The Great Depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s caused mass unemployment and much suffering. In contrast to the retrenchment of the conservative government, Labour proposed policies to stimulate and develop the economy and improve social services. It won a landslide victory at the 1935 election.
Labour increased wages, introduced the 40 hour week and strengthened trade unions. It built state houses and expanded public works, creating jobs for the unemployed. Its greatest achievement was the Social Security Act which created the modern Welfare State and provided free health services and improved benefits for the sick, unemployed and aged. In 1938 Labour was re-elected with 55 per cent of the votes. Michael Joseph Savage, Labour's first prime minister, was a much loved leader.
Labour led New Zealand through World War II under Peter Fraser, the party's second prime minister. Its rehabilitation programme gave servicemen and women access to education and training and loans to buy farms, businesses and homes.
Labour had two brief periods in government under Walter Nash (1957-1960) and Norman Kirk (1972-1975). Both governments made improvements in the Welfare State and took independent stands in foreign policy. The third Labour government passed the Treaty of Waitangi Act giving Maori the right to make claims under the treaty.
After the nine years of the Muldoon-led National government, the New Zealand economy was in serious difficulties. David Lange led Labour back to office in 1984 and the fourth Labour government introduced sweeping economic reforms. After 1987, there was growing unhappiness within the party to the government's neo-liberal programme, for example privatisation of state-owned assets.
The fourth Labour government made New Zealand nuclear-free, changed the Treaty of Waitangi Act to allow claims back to 1840 and introduced important changes in social policy.
After her election as leader in 1993, Helen Clark united the party around more traditional Labour policies. In 1999 Labour was re-elected to government in coalition with the Alliance with support from the Greens. The fifth Labour government reversed the worst neo-liberal policies of the 1980s and 1990s, ran a strong economy with budget surpluses each year and introduced social programmes like Working for Families which benefited low-income people, including Maori and Pasifika, supported New Zealand arts and culture and followed an independent foreign policy.
Notable Figures
Harry Holland, a printer and journalist, from New South Wales, led the Labour Party from 1919 to 1933. He was the party's second longest-serving leader and helped establish Labour as a strong political force.
Michael Joseph Savage, a miner from Victoria, was Labour's first prime minister. A much-loved leader, his crowning achievement was the Social Security Act.
Peter Fraser, a labourer from Scotland, was Labour's second prime minister. He led the country through World War II and was one of the founders of the United Nations.
Walter Nash, a small businessman from England, was minister of finance during the first Labour government and was Labour's third prime minister.
Norman Kirk, an engine driver from Christchurch, was Labour's first New Zealand-born prime minister. His vision of nationhood captured the imagination of people who wanted an independent New Zealand.
David Lange, a lawyer from Auckland, was Labour's sixth prime minister. His government introduced controversial economic reforms and made New Zealand nuclear-free.
Helen Clark, a university lecturer from Auckland, was Labour's ninth prime minister and its longest-serving leader. The fifth Labour government returned to traditional Labour policies and operated successfully as a minority government under MMP.
Whanganui Labour MPs
Joe Cotterill 1935-1960: Born and educated in Whanganui, Cotterill was a railway worker. A keen sportsman, he was a member of the Pirate Rugby Club and the Union Boat Club and played rugby for Wanganui province. When he was elected to Parliament, he was secretary of the Wanganui East branch of the Labour Party and the East Town branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. He was Labour's senior whip in Parliament from 1952 to 1958.
George Spooner 1960-1969: A blacksmith by trade, Spooner worked at the Patea Freezing Works and Wanganui Harbour Board. He was the chair of the Harbour Employees Union and the East Town branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, secretary of the Wanganui Trades Council and president of the Wanganui LRC and Wanganui Branch of the Labour Party. He was on active service overseas during World War 2.
Russell Marshall 1972-1990: Born in Nelson, Marshall was educated at Nelson College, Canterbury University, Christchurch Teachers College and Trinity College. He served as a Methodist minister in Christchurch and Masterton and was active in community organisations and the Labour Party. He was elected to Cabinet when the fourth Labour government won office in 1984. He was Minister of Education until 1987 when he became Minister of Foreign Affairs. After retiring from Parliament, he was New Zealand's High Commissioner in London.
Jill Pettis 1993-2005: Pettis worked as a nurse and in banking and education and was active in community organisations, particularly education and social services, in Whanganui. She was chair of the Castlecliff branch of the Labour Party. After the Labour-led government was elected in 1999, she was assistant speaker of Parliament and then the junior government whip and senior government whip. She was a Labour list MP from 2005 to 2008.
SEMINAL EVENTS
1916 Labour Party formed.
1919 Labour Party enters Parliament with eight MPs. Harry Holland is elected Labour's leader.
1935 Labour wins the general election in a landslide and the first Labour government, led by Michael Joseph Savage, takes office.
1936 The alliance between the Ratana Church and the Labour Party is cemented at an historic meeting between T.W. Ratana and Savage.
1937 The first state house is opened in Miramar, Wellington.
1939 The Social Security Act comes into force, creating the modern Welfare State.
1940 Savage dies and Peter Fraser becomes prime minister.
1945 The Employment Act reinforced Labour's policy of full employment.
1957 The second Labour government, led by Walter Nash, was elected.
1972 The third Labour government, led by Norman Kirk, was elected.
1975 The Treaty of Waitangi Act gave legal recognition to the treaty and Maori the right to make claims under it. ¦ 1984 David Lange led Labour to victory.
1986 The Goods and Services Tax, one of the fourth Labour government's main economic reforms, was introduced.
1987 The Labour government passed the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act.
1999 The fifth Labour government, led by Helen Clark, was elected. Under MMP it was a minority government which had coalition and support agreements with several other parties.
2005 Labour was re-elected making the Clark government the second longest serving in the party's history.
