Labour: the New Zealand Labour Party 1916-2016

The Labour Party is New Zealands oldest political party. On 7 July 2016 it celebrates a hundred years of commitment to democracy, social justice and economic developmenta commitment that has often made for precarious balancing acts. First in government from 19351949, Labour set the terms of economic and social policy for over 40 years only to then struggle to define itself during the 1950s and 60s. After single terms in government in the late 1950s and early 1970s, Labour experienced the 1984 Lange governments radical Rogernomics policies which threatened to destroy the party even as the anti-nuclear policy was warmly applauded. Helen Clarks nine-year reconciliation of social democracy and globalization followed, proving across the century that Labour has consistently represented a broad-based party of reform. Labour: The New Zealand Labour Party 19162016 shows how Labour builds on a long tradition of radical and democratic agitation, and how members and activists from all walks of life fought for their their economic and social visions. It shows how a party founded in a male-dominated trade union movement grewsometimes with difficultyto embrace and advocate for the aspirations of women, Maori, Pasifika peoples, and rainbow communities. An essential read for all with an interest in New Zealands political history, this analysis of Labours past will go on to inform the future of social democratic politics.