First Labour Government of New Zealand

The First Labour Government of New Zealand governed New Zealand from 1935 to 1949. It was formed during a difficult time called the Great Depression, when many people had trouble finding jobs and enough food. This government worked hard to help everyone and made many important changes.

Because of the tough times, the government created a special system to help people stay safe and healthy. They started what is called a welfare state, meaning the government helps take care of its people. They also used a way of managing money called Keynesian economic management, where the government steps in to help when things get hard.

The First Labour Government also had to lead New Zealand during World War II, a big war that affected the whole world. Even with this challenge, they continued to work for fourteen years, helping New Zealand grow and become a better place for everyone.

Foreign affairs and military

In the 1930s, the New Zealand Labour Party supported the League of Nations, a group that tried to prevent fights between countries. But the League could not stop some countries from invading others, like the Japanese invasion of Manchuria or the Italian invasion of Abyssinia.

When World War II began, New Zealand joined the fight with Britain. During the war, the government asked some people to join the army, which surprised many. But they said this war was different and had to be fought.

After the war, New Zealand helped create the United Nations, ensuring smaller countries had a voice too.

Constitutional

The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947 was passed to adopt the Statute of Westminster 1931. This helped New Zealand become more independent. New Zealand stopped being called the Dominion of New Zealand and became the Realm of New Zealand. This meant New Zealand could handle its own foreign affairs and military matters.

The country quota was also removed before the 1946 election. This change made sure that both rural and urban areas had the same number of voters in elections.

1935 election and government formation

Main article: 1935 New Zealand general election

The 1935 election happened during the Great Depression, a very hard time that started in 1929. Many places, including New Zealand, were struggling. Before this, the Reform and United parties tried to manage the problems. They thought it was important to keep money tight and cut spending, even if it meant giving jobs to people who had none, sometimes on work that wasn’t really needed.

The Labour Party had different ideas. They believed the government should spend more to create real jobs.

By 1935, many people were unhappy with how things were going and wanted to try something new. Labour got a new leader in 1933 after Harry Holland passed away. Michael Joseph Savage, the new leader, seemed friendly and easy to talk to. Labour won the election by a large margin, taking 53 out of 80 seats. They had support from the Māori Rātana movement. Even though they won, Labour only got 46.1% of all votes because many people split their votes between the Reform and United parties, and some voted for the Democrats and the Country Party.

1938 election

Main article: 1938 New Zealand general election

The government became more popular during its first term because people liked its policies and the economy was getting better. The government's policies, like raising wages for workers and creating jobs, helped many people. The economy was already getting better before the government started in 1935. In the 1938 election, Labour got more support, but they did not win any new seats. By this time, the United and Reform parties had joined together to form the New Zealand National Party. The National Party won 25 seats with 40.3% of the vote. The smaller Country and Democrat parties lost much of their support. Now, New Zealand politics was mainly about the Labour and National parties.

1943 election

Main article: 1943 New Zealand general election

The 1943 election happened during World War II. It was delayed by about two years because of the war. Some people felt that Labour was not being honest. This might have caused some supporters to vote for the Democratic Labour Party, led by a former Labour member named John A. Lee. However, this new party only got a small number of votes and did not win any seats.

Labour got important support from soldiers voting from overseas. This helped them win the election. The election was also remembered because a respected Māori leader named Āpirana Ngata lost to a Labour-Ratana candidate named Tiaka Omana. Labour continued to represent the four Māori electorates for many years after that.

1946 election

Main article: 1946 New Zealand general election

By 1946, the National Party had grown stronger. But most of their support was in the countryside. Before, rural votes counted more, giving National an edge. In 1945, the government changed this rule. In the 1946 election, Labour lost a few seats but still stayed in control, though only just. Some people thought Labour needed support from Māori voters to keep power.

Defeat

Main article: 1949 New Zealand general election

By 1949, the government had led New Zealand for 14 years, including six years during wartime. It seemed tired and unsure. Three referendums were held that year, showing this uncertainty. The National party promised to keep the helpful welfare policies made by Labour but said they would make changes. National won with most of the votes and took many seats in parliament. Labour would not be in charge again for eight more years.

Election results

Prime ministers

The First Labour Government of New Zealand was led by Michael Joseph Savage until he died in 1940. After that, Peter Fraser became the prime minister and led the government until 1949.

• Prime ministers of the First Labour Government

  Michael Joseph Savage
  served 1935–1940

[Peter Fraser](/wiki/Peter_Fraser)  

served 1940–1949

Cabinet ministers

War cabinet

Here is a list of ministers who served in the "War cabinet" from July 16, 1940 to August 21, 1945, and the "War administration" from June 30, 1942 to October 2, 1942. Other important members included the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Transport.