Story: Labour Party

Page 4. Fourth, fifth and sixth Labour governments

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1984 Lange government

The Labour government led by lawyer David Lange that was elected in 1984 looked very different to previous Labour administrations. Most of its MPs had worked as either lawyers or academics. Only five, including Mike Moore – a future prime minister – had backgrounds as manual workers. Labour had been transformed into a party of the middle class.

Neo-liberalism and 'Rogernomics'

The greatest challenge to the first and later Labour governments’ policies on the welfare state and a regulated economy that combined state and private enterprise came, surprisingly, from the Labour Party. Taking its cues from mid-20th century neo-liberal theorists, the fourth Labour government deviated sharply from a social democratic path. Led within cabinet by Finance Minister Roger Douglas (who gave his name to ‘Rogernomics’) and a group of supportive ministers, the government removed a swathe of regulations and subsidies, privatised state assets and introduced corporate practices to state services.

Against witchery

Labour Prime Minister David Lange was renowned for his off-the-cuff verbal wit. In 1985 he faced pressure from the US and UK administrations to reverse his government’s policy against admitting nuclear-powered ships to New Zealand. Baroness Janet Young, the UK foreign minister, arrived to persuade Lange to abandon this policy, carrying a large black umbrella. She failed to change his mind and as she left, Lange quipped, ‘Oh Baroness, do not forget your broomstick.’1

The aim, in contrast to Labour tradition, was to reduce the role of the state in economic activity and to allow greater opportunity for private enterprise in a free-market environment. Many western countries were moving in the same direction. Labour’s foreign policy broke with the tradition of firm support for Britain and the US by declaring the country nuclear-free.

Labour divided

The first and fourth Labour governments stand out as the two most radical governments of the 20th century. Both reset the country's political agenda with the scope of their policy initiatives. But the fourth Labour government's departure from traditional Labour values and practices fractured the party at all levels. In its second term the cabinet was divided on the extent and pace of further reforms, and there was rebellion among party members and disillusion among Labour voters. Lange resigned as prime minister in 1989, handing over leadership to his deputy, Geoffrey Palmer, who in turn was replaced by Mike Moore on the eve of the 1990 election. Labour’s caucus was reduced from 56 to 29, the smallest since 1935.

Fifth Labour government (1999–2008)

When Labour returned to power in 1999 under the leadership of Helen Clark, the administration differed from all its predecessors. This time Labour was elected under the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system introduced in 1996, and was denied a clear parliamentary majority. In each of its three terms Labour governed in coalition with, or on the basis of negotiated support from, one or more minor parties. Policy concessions to its partners sometimes steered the government to the left, for example by setting up Kiwibank, promoted by Jim Anderton’s Progressive Party; sometimes to more centrist ground, such as establishing the Families Commission (later called Superu), promoted by the United Party; or towards environmental concerns, such as setting up a solar-energy programme, promoted by the Green Party.

The primary direction of policy, however, was determined by Labour’s retreat from the neo-liberal project of the 1980s. Yet it neither could, nor wished to, undo all the sweeping changes made in the name of ‘Rogernomics’. In 2008 Clark's government lost office to a National-led administration.

Sixth Labour government (2017–)

Led by Jacinda Ardern, Labour won 36.9% of the vote at the 2017 election and subsequently formed a government in coalition with New Zealand First, with support on confidence and supply from the Green Party. In 2020 Labour won more than half the party votes, enough to govern alone had it chosen to do so. Instead, Prime Minister Ardern gave ministerial portfolios to the two Green Party co-leaders. Ardern resigned as prime minister and Labour Party leader in January 2023 and was replaced by Chris Hipkins.

Footnotes:
  1. Quoted in Keith Eunson, Mirrors on the hill: reflections on New Zealand’s political leaders. Palmerston North: Dunmore Press, 2001, p. 193. Back
How to cite this page:

Peter Aimer, 'Labour Party - Fourth, fifth and sixth Labour governments', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/labour-party/page-4 (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Peter Aimer, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Jan 2023