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 were struggling to find jobs and enough food. This government worked hard to help everyone and made many important changes to support people.

Because of the tough times, the government decided to create a special system to help people stay safe and healthy. They started what is called a welfare state, which means the government helps take care of its people. They also used a way of managing money called Keynesian economic management, which means the government would step in to help when things got 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, an early group working to stop big fights between countries. But the League couldn’t 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 quickly joined the fight on the side of Britain. During the war, the government required some people to join the army, which surprised many because they had opposed this before. But they said this war was different and needed to be fought.

After the war, New Zealand helped create the United Nations, making sure 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 tough time that started in 1929 and hurt New Zealand like many other places. Before this, the Reform and United parties worked together to manage the crisis. They believed in keeping budgets balanced and cutting spending, even if it meant giving jobs to people who had none, sometimes on work that didn’t really need doing. The Labour Party disagreed. They thought the government should spend more money to create real jobs.

By 1935, many people were unhappy with the old ways and willing to try something new. Labour also got a new leader in 1933 after Harry Holland passed away. Michael Joseph Savage, the new leader, seemed friendly and approachable. Labour won big in the election, taking 53 out of 80 seats, with help 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 noticed the benefits of its policies and the improving economy. While the government's policies, like raising wages for workers and creating jobs, helped many people, the economy was already starting to improve before the government came to power in 1935. In the 1938 election, Labour's support grew by nearly 10%, 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, which won 25 seats with 40.3% of the vote. The smaller Country and Democrat parties lost much of their support, and New Zealand politics became mainly focused on the Labour and National parties.

1943 election

Main article: 1943 New Zealand general election

The 1943 election happened during World War II and was delayed by about two years because of the war. Some people felt that Labour was not being honest because they had spoken against having people join the army during World War I. 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 4.3% of the votes and did not win any seats.

Labour received important support from soldiers voting from overseas, which helped them win the election. This turned what looked like a win for the National party into a win for Labour. 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 become stronger and more trusted. However, their support was mostly in rural areas. In past elections, they had an advantage because rural votes counted more. This changed in 1945 when the government removed that advantage, which might have helped Labour win. In the 1946 election, Labour lost a few seats but still kept control, though just barely. Some people said Labour needed support from Māori voters to stay in power.

Defeat

Main article: 1949 New Zealand general election

By 1949, the government had been leading 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 51.9% of the votes and took 46 out of 80 seats in parliament. Labour would not be in charge again for eight more years and would not stay in power for more than one term until later years.

Election results

Prime ministers

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