David Russell Lange

David Russell Lange , 1942-2005, New Zealand politician. After receiving his law degree (LL.M., 1970) he fought for the rights of the underprivileged in Auckland, and was elected to the House of Representatives as a Labor party member in 1977. He became deputy leader of the party in 1979 and leader in 1983. After Labor won the 1984 general election on a non-nuclear defense platform, he became prime minister. Lange encouraged free market reforms and cut the federal budget, and he drew the ire of the United States when he banned nuclear-armed or nuclear-powered ships from New Zealand's ports in 1985. He resigned as prime minister in 1989 when faced with a revolt within Labor over his economic reforms, but he remained in parliament until his death.

Lange, David Russell (1942– ) New Zealand politician; Labour Prime Minister (1984–89). Lange trained as a lawyer and became an MP in 1977. In 1979 he was appointed deputy leader of the opposition, becoming leader in 1983. He led his party to victory in the 1984 elections pledging a commitment to a non-nuclear defence policy. His banning of nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered ships from New Zealand's ports caused anger in the USA. He introduced free-market reforms and reduced national spending.

Lange, David Russell (b. 4 Aug. 1942). Prime Minister of New Zealand 1984–9 A graduate of the University of Auckland, he was called to the Bar in 1966. Elected to the House of Representatives for the Labour Party in 1977, he became its deputy leader in 1979, and its leader in 1983. In addition to his office as Prime Minister, he was in charge of foreign affairs (1984–7) and education (1987–9). In foreign policy, he received worldwide attention through his tough implementation of Labour's non-nuclear policy. He thus banned nuclear vessels from entering New Zealand ports. Since this applied mostly to US warships, this aggravated US President Reagan, who duly declared the ANZUS inoperative (1985), in effect cancelling US military protection in the event of war (1986). Lange also (unsuccessfully) demanded firm French government action after French secret service agents sank Greenpeace's vessel, the Rainbow Warrior, while it was at anchor in Auckland harbour. In domestic affairs, he had to overcome the economic difficulties caused by the worldwide recession. This forced him to pursue a relatively centrist economic policy, which stimulated demand through cutting taxes. He also shifted the tax burden from direct income tax to indirect taxation through the introduction of a goods and service tax. This ensured considerable support for his government. Ever-mindful of his more radical labour constituency, he created a Ministry for Women, and introduced a Bill of Rights. He resigned in August 1989 after a quarrel with his popular and successful Minister of Finance, Roger Douglas. He was succeeded by Geoffrey Palmer, and retired from the House of Representatives in 1996.