David Lange biography

Synopsis

David Lange’s election to the New Zealand House of Representatives in 1977 changed the direction of his life, and he rose rapidly to become leader of the Labour Party in 1983. His non-nuclear defense policy won him the 1984 general election and made him New Zealand's youngest prime minister of the 20th century. He and his party were re-elected in 1987, but he resigned in 1989.

Profile

New Zealand politician and prime minister (1984–9), born in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. After qualifying in law at Auckland University, he worked for the underprivileged in Auckland. His election to the House of Representatives in 1977 changed the direction of his life, and he rose rapidly to become leader of the Labour Party in 1983. His non-nuclear defence policy won him the 1984 general election, and made him New Zealand's youngest prime minister of the 20th-c. He and his party were re-elected in 1987, but he resigned in 1989. He was made a Companion of Honour in 1990.