David Lange Farewell
David Lange, former Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, is being farewelled this week. He died at the age of 63 after complications from diabetes.
The cartoon portrait here is by Murray Webb and is used by permission.
I first came across David Lange at Otago University back in 1983 and 1984 when he was campaigning for the Labour Party. He defeated Rob Muldoon at the polls and took a Labour government into leadership at a time of financial crisis. He was an inspiration for a country needing to stand up against use of nuclear weapons. I held my head high when I saw Lange win the Oxford Union debate in 1985, arguing that nuclear weapons are morally indefensible. I watched with concern as right wing economics threatened to derail the Labour Party and country, and cheered as Lange publicly moved away from “Rogernomics“. I scratched my head as the rumours started circulating about his affair with his speech writer, Margaret Pope, only to be confirmed by his wife Naomi. Lange resigned from Parliament in 1996 but continued to contribute to the multicultural community of New Zealand.
On Thursday there was a small informal funeral at Onehunga Cooperating Church in Auckland. David was a Methodist and chose the hymns. A Cook Island choir sang as his coffin was carried out of the church. The public farewell will be one massive barbecue and concert at Ericsson Stadium in Auckland, starting at 11 am. The catering’s being organised by Mad Butcher Peter Lietch. Lange was a longtime rugby league supporter.
One Response to “David Lange Farewell”
By fernando on Aug 19, 2005 | Reply
Sad to hear of his passing. I used to have that Oxford Union debate on video (actually I still might have it). I imagine his era in NZ politics will be viewed as increasingly important in years to come.