History New Zealand Labour Party

1 history

1.1 formation

1.1.1 electoral record of constituent parties pre-1916 nzlp


1.2 days
1.3 first government (1935–1949) , opposition
1.4 second government (1957–1960) , opposition
1.5 third government (1972–1975) , opposition
1.6 fourth government (1984–1990) , opposition
1.7 fifth government (1999–2008) , opposition
1.8 sixth government (2017–present)

history

the new zealand labour party established on 7 july 1916 in wellington, bringing socialist groups advocating proportional representation, abolition of country quota, recall of members of parliament, nationalisation of production , of exchange. despite wellington origins, west coast town of blackball regarded birthplace of party, location of founding of 1 of main political organisations became part of nascent labour party. party created by, , has been influenced by, trade unions, , in practice labour party politicians regard part of broader labour movement , tradition.

formation

the new zealand labour party amalgamation of number of groups, oldest of founded in 1901. process of unifying these diverse groups single party difficult, tensions between different factions running strong.

at turn of century, radical side of new zealand working class politics represented socialist party, founded in 1901. more moderate leftists supporters of liberal party. in 1905, group of working class politicians dissatisfied liberal approach established independent political labour league, managed win seat in parliament in 1908 election. established basic dividing line in new zealand s left-wing politics – socialists tended revolutionary , militant, while moderates focused instead on progressive reform.

in 1910, independent political labour league relaunched organisation called labour party, distinct modern party. soon, however, leaders of new organisation decided additional effort needed promote left-wing cooperation, , organised unity conference . socialists refused attend, several independent labour activists agreed. united labour party born.

soon afterwards, labour movement hit waihi miners strike, major industrial disturbance prompted radicals in union movement. movement split between supporting , opposing radicals, , in end, conservative government of william massey suppressed strike force. in strike s aftermath, there major drive end divisions in movement , establish united front – unity conference called, , time socialists attended. resulting group named social democratic party.

not members of united labour party accepted new organisation, however, , continued on under own banner. gradually, however, differences between social democrats , ulp remnant broke down, , in 1915 formed unified caucus both better oppose reform , differentiate liberals. year later yet gathering held. time, major factions of labour movement agreed unite, establishing modern labour party.

electoral record of constituent parties pre-1916 nzlp


early days

almost immediately, new labour party became involved in acrimonious debate conscription, arose during world war – labour party opposed conscription, several leaders jailed , expelled parliament stand against war: peter fraser, harry holland, bob semple , paddy webb. loss of leadership threatened destabilise party, party survived. fraser, semple , webb later supported conscription in world war ii.

in first real electoral test united party, 1919 election, labour won 8 seats – party s quick success shocked many conservatives. compared 47 governing reform party , 21 liberal party.

although labour had split more militant faction, (who went on form various socialist parties) maintained @ time radical socialist policies. labour s usehold policy on land in essence replacement of freehold tenure system of perpetual lease state, land transfer conducted through state (the full nationalisation of farmland). policy unpopular voters , dropped labour, along other more radical policies, throughout 1920s.

members of labour parliamentary caucus, 1922. prominent members harry holland (seated, left of centre), peter fraser (seated, right of centre) , michael joseph savage (back row, rightmost).

in 1922 election, labour more doubled number of seats, winning seventeen. in 1925 election, declined somewhat, had consolation of overtaking liberals second largest party. harry holland became official leader of opposition on 16 june 1926, after eden by-election on 15 april elected rex mason (labour) replace james parr (reform) had resigned. after 1928 election, however, party left in advantageous position – reform party , new united party (a revival of liberals) tied on 27 seats each, , neither govern without labour support. labour chose united, party closest own views – put end 5 terms of reform party government.

the rigours of great depression brought labour considerable popularity, caused tension between labour , united party. in 1931, united passed number of economic measures labour deemed hostile workers, , agreement between 2 parties collapsed. united formed coalition government reform, making labour opposition. coalition retained power in 1931 election, gradually, public became highly dissatisfied failure resolve country s economic problems. in 1935 election, labour party won massive victory, gaining 53 seats coalition s 19.

several of labour party stalwarts australian-born: alfred hindmarsh, harry holland, michael joseph savage, bob semple, paddy webb, bill parry , later jerry skinner, mabel howard , hugh watt.

first government (1935–1949) , opposition


members of first labour government, on steps of parliamentary library, wellington

michael joseph savage, leader of party, became prime minister on 6 december 1935, marking beginning of labour s first term in office. new government set implementing number of significant reforms, including reorganisation of social welfare system , creation of state housing scheme. workers benefited introduction of forty hour week, , legislation making easier unions negotiate on behalf. savage himself highly popular working classes, , portrait found on walls of many houses around country. @ time labour party pursued alliance māori rātana movement.

the opposition, meanwhile, attacked labour party s more left-wing policies, , accused of undermining free enterprise , hard work. year after labour s first win, reform party , united party took coalition next step, agreeing merge each other. combined organisation named national party, , labour s main rival in future years.

labour faced opposition within ranks. while labour party had been explicitly socialist @ inception, had been gradually drifting away earlier radicalism. death of party s former leader, doctrinaire harry holland, had marked significant turning point in party s history. within party, however, displeased changing focus of party, notably john a. lee. lee, views mixture of socialism , social credit theory, emerged vocal critic of party s leadership, accusing of behaving autocratically , of betraying party s rank , file. after long , bitter dispute, lee expelled party, establishing own breakaway democratic labour party.

savage died in 1940, , replaced peter fraser, became labour s longest-serving prime minister. fraser best known new zealand s leader of world war ii. in post-war period, however, ongoing shortages , industrial problems cost labour considerable popularity, , national party, under sidney holland, gained ground although labour able win 1943 , 1946 elections. finally, in 1949 elections, labour defeated.

fraser died shortly afterwards, , replaced walter nash, long-serving minister of finance. time before labour return power, – nash lacked charisma of predecessors, , national won considerable support opposing industrial anarchy of 1951 waterfront dispute. in 1957 election, however, labour won narrowest of victories, , returned office.

second government (1957–1960) , opposition

nash, labour s third prime minister, took office in late 1957. upon coming power, labour decided drastic measures needed address balance of payments concerns. resulted in (in)famous black budget of arnold nordmeyer, new minister of finance. budget raised taxes, particularly on alcohol , cigarettes, , highly unpopular. thought have doomed party defeat despite economy having rejuvenated less 1 year after black budget. in 1960 election, national party indeed victorious.

the elderly nash retired in 1963, suffering ill health. replaced nordmeyer, taint of black budget ensured nordmeyer did not have appreciable success in reversing party s fortunes. in 1965, leadership assumed younger norman kirk, many believed revitalise party. labour defeated again in next 2 elections, in 1972 election, party gained significant victory.

third government (1972–1975) , opposition


new zealand labour 1970s–1980s l logo

kirk proved energetic prime minister, , introduced number of new policies. particularly noteworthy foreign policy stances, included strong criticism of nuclear weapons testing , of south africa s apartheid system. kirk s health poor, however, , worsened refusal slow pace of work. in 1974, kirk taken ill , died. replaced bill rowling, did not have same appeal – in 1975 election, labour defeated national, led robert muldoon.

rowling remained leader of labour party time after defeat. in 1978 election , 1981 election, labour won larger share of vote national, failed win equivalent number of seats. rowling himself compared unfavourably muldoon, , did not cope muldoon s aggressive style. rowling replaced david lange, caucus perceived more charismatic. in 1984 election, labour victorious.

fourth government (1984–1990) , opposition

when fourth labour government came power uncovered fiscal crisis had been largely hidden outgoing third national government. government debt skyrocketing, due largely costs of borrowing maintain fixed exchange rate. when result of election became clear lange asked muldoon devalue dollar, refused do, resulting in constitutional crisis , precipitating of changes in constitution act 1986.

throughout first term of fourth labour government, cabinet remained largely unified behind radical financial, economic , policy reforms enacted. in 1987 labour won first-past-the-post election last time (the mixed member proportional system introduced in 1996). not until second term, increased labour s majority , won on of anti-nuclear stance, considerable divisions on economic policy began arise within cabinet. minister of finance, roger douglas, supporter of free market theories, , sought implement sweeping reforms ( rogernomics ) economy , tax system. others within party, however, saw betrayal of party s left-wing roots. party criticised council of trade unions.

opposition douglas s reforms remained strong – eventually, labour mp, jim anderton, left establish newlabour party, forming basis of left-wing alliance. @ same time, douglas pressing onwards, proposing flat tax rate. finally, david lange forced douglas resign, , shortly afterwards resigned himself.

lange replaced geoffrey palmer. palmer, however, unable counter widespread discontent among labour s traditional supporters, , few months before 1990 election, palmer replaced mike moore. labour party suffered worst defeat since first took office in 1935.

major pieces of legislation include constitution act 1986, codified important constitutional conventions, , new zealand nuclear free zone, disarmament, , arms control act 1987, declared new zealand nuclear-free zone.

moore replaced helen clark, led party in opposition national party government of jim bolger. during period in opposition, party made measured repudiation of rogernomics, although has never returned original strong left-wing stance (its contemporary position left-of-centre). when 1996 election, first conducted under mmp electoral system, gave balance of power centrist new zealand first party, many believed labour return power, in end new zealand first allied national party. coalition unstable, however, , collapsed, leaving national party govern minority government.

fifth government (1999–2008) , opposition


helen clark, labour prime minister 1999 2008

after 1999 election, coalition government of labour , alliance took power, helen clark becoming new zealand s second female prime minister. government, while undertaking number of reforms, not particularly radical when compared previous labour governments, , maintained high level of popularity. alliance, however, fell in popularity , split internally, latter factor being 1 of reasons cited clark calling 2002 election several months early, labour comfortably won.

policies of fifth labour government include kiwisaver scheme, working families package, increasing minimum wage 5% year, interest-free student loans, creation of district health boards, introduction of number of tax credits, overhauling secondary school qualifications introducing ncea, , introduction of fourteen weeks’ parental leave. labour supported civil union act 2004, legalised civil unions same-sex , opposite-sex couples.

in 2004, labour came under attack policies on foreshore , seabed controversy. there significant internal tensions within party, culminating in resignation of junior minister tariana turia , establishment of new māori party.

party logo in 2008

following 2005 general election, labour formed coalition progressive party (a faction of old alliance), , entered complex confidence , supply agreements centrist united future , new zealand first parties, gave both parties leaders ministerial portfolio, while remaining outside cabinet. limited support agreement made green party, whereby policy concessions made greens in return abstention on confidence , supply votes. labour lost power when defeated national party in 2008 general election.

then-leader phil goff current leader jacinda ardern , carol beaumont @ anti-mining march in auckland, 2010

following loss national party in november 2008 election, helen clark stood down leader of party. succeeded phil goff (2008–2011). labour had relatively high turnover of 4 leaders during recent term in opposition; has been attributed in part changes within public media , political environment. goff led labour second electoral defeat in 2011 , succeeded david shearer (2011–2013). shearer resigned after losing confidence of caucus. david cunliffe (2013–2014) elected in 2013 leadership election. cunliffe disliked factions within labour caucus had strong support party membership. in leadership contest won first-preference votes one-third of labour mps. cunliffe resigned following further election loss in 2014. replaced andrew little (2014–2017). little resigned in 2017 following new polling showing party sinking record low result. jacinda ardern (2017–present) confirmed new labour leader.

after ardern s ascension leadership labour rose dramatically in opinion polls. late august had risen 43% in 1 poll (having been 24% under little s leadership), managing overtake national in opinion polls first time in on decade.

sixth government (2017–present)

during 2017 general election, labour party gained 36.6% of party vote , increased presence in house of representatives 46 seats, making second largest party in parliament.

on 19 october 2017, new zealand first leader winston peters announced party form coalition government labour, citing changing international , internal economic circumstances reasoning behind decision, coupled belief labour government best-placed handle social , economic welfare of new zealanders in global environment undergoing rapid , seismic change. coalition, combined confidence , supply green party, saw labour return government first time since 2008.

the labour government has pledged eliminate child poverty, make tertiary education free, reduce immigration 20,000-30,000, decriminalise abortion, introduce water royalty , make rivers swimmable within 10 years.