Labour’s 100th birthday
The New Zealand Labour Party celebrates its 100th birthday tomorrow.
The Party amalgamated a number of workers’ political groups, in Wellington on 7 July 1916, under the parliamentary
leadership of Alfred Hindmarsh.
Labour Party President, Nigel Haworth said: “Labour is as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. We are a diverse
and democratic political party. We vigorously debate how we will build a better New Zealand, but the goal hasn’t
changed: economic security and social equality for all New Zealanders.”
One of Labour’s first campaigns was its vehement opposition to conscription as WW1 was raging, resulting in the
expulsion from parliament and imprisonment of some of its leaders including the future World War ll Prime Minister,
Peter Fraser.
In its first electoral test the new Labour Party won eight seats in the 1919 election.
During the depression of the 1930s Labour saw a surge in its support and in 1935 Labour won government and Michael
Joseph Savage became Prime Minister, with a landslide vote gaining 53 seats to the United/Reform coalition’s 19. The
first Labour government introduced state housing, reformed the social welfare system, hugely improved access to health
care, got huge numbers of unemployed back to work, and laid the foundations of a modern and confident Aotearoa New
Zealand.
“Each of the five Labour governments of the past 100 years has introduced changes to the lasting benefit of New
Zealanders – changes our political opponents have come to accept. These include workplace rights, the 40-hour week; the
public health system; free education; state housing; progress towards equal pay; The Waitangi Tribunal; international
leadership for peace and development, homosexual law reform; civil unions; public broadcasting, Maori television; and
better environmental protection.”
“We are the oldest political party in New Zealand and our members have much to take pride in. But, being Labour people,
their celebration of the centennial will focus on the future, and Labour’s continuing contribution to a better New
Zealand” said Nigel Haworth.
The centenary celebrations include the launch tomorrow of a new history of the Labour Party by historian Jim McAloon and
Peter Franks, and an exhibition, history seminar and series of talks at the Wellington Museum. There will also be
regional celebrations of local achievements held around the country.
For more information about Labour’s Centenary events head to: www.labour.org.nz/events
ENDS