David Lange

The Right Honourable David Russell Lange (pronounced Long-ee), CH, ONZ (4 August 1942 Thames, New Zealand – 13 August, 2005 Auckland, New Zealand), served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history. He was renowned for a cutting wit and eloquence. His government implemented far-reaching free market reforms, some of which he later came to oppose and regret. Perhaps his most lasting legacy is New Zealand's nuclear-free legislation, which for many symbolised a pacifist identity for New Zealand.

Early life

Lange was born in Thames, the son of a doctor of German descent. His relatives suffered prejudice during the First World War due to their German ancestry, and later on in life Lange would face a political rival in 1984 who tried to discredit him because of his German heritage. The family moved to the south Auckland suburb of Otahuhu where Lange grew up. He was educated at Fairburn Primary School, Otara Intermediate School and Otahuhu College, then at Auckland University, where he graduated in law in 1965. He paid his way through university by working in a meat-freezing works, his first encounter with the working-class people he would later represent. In 1968 he married Naomi Crampton. He gained a Master of Laws in 1970, then practised law in Northland and Auckland for some years, often legally representing the most dispossessed members of Auckland society.

Related Topics:
Thames - German - Auckland - Auckland University - 1965 - 1968 - 1970 - Northland

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Lange suffered all his life from obesity and the health problems it caused. By 1982 he weighed 165 kilograms, and had surgery to staple his stomach in order to lose weight. He attributed his talent for caustic wit and repartee to the need to defend himself against bullying in his youth.

Related Topics:
Obesity - 1982

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He was a strict vegan.

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