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Vogel House and Premier House - housing NZ's prime ministers
Since 1975 the official prime minister's residence has been at Vogel House and, since 1990, Premier House
David Lange
Prime Minister: 26 Jul 1984–8 Aug 1989
Age on becoming PM: 41
Electorate: Mangere
Political party: Labour

Seven years and one stomach-stapling operation after entering Parliament in 1977, David Lange became PM a month before his 42nd birthday. The baby-boomers had ousted Robert Muldoon’s RSA generation and Lange’s youthful Cabinet ‘heaved and bubbled like a Rotorua mud pool with new ideas, some equally volcanic.’

David Lange celebrating 1984 election victory
Jubilant Labour supporters hoist leader David Lange into the air on the night of the snap election on 14 July 1984.
Film: first Parliamentary session after 1984 snap election
The snap election of 1984 brought in a new Labour government. The clip shows Members of Parliament assembling and the election of Speaker Sir Basil Arthur.
Nuclear Free New Zealand
This case study examines New Zealand's involvement in the nuclear debate of the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a breakdown of the ANZUS alliance in 1985. With particular emphasis on French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the nuclear ships row, this case study will provide teachers with: Most of the activities can be completed with reference to the feature Nuclear Free New Zealand.
Death of David Lange
David Lange was New Zealand's youngest prime minister during the 20th century. Renowned for his sharp wit and oratory, he is best remembered as leader of the fourth Labour government from 1984 to 1989.
State-owned enterprises are born
The State-Owned Enterprises Act heralded a major overhaul of the public sector and was a key part of the strategy of economic liberalisation known as 'Rogernomics'.
Nuclear-free legislation - nuclear-free New Zealand
Labour leader David Lange had tried to work with the Americans, but their 'neither confirm nor deny' policy made a middle ground virtually impossible to find.
Sound: Oxford Union debate on nuclear weapons
David Lange speaks at the televised Oxford Union debate in 1985. He successfully argued the proposition that 'nuclear weapons are morally indefensible'.
Sound clip: David Lange on nuclear ship visits
David Lange discusses New Zealand's stance on nuclear ship visits.
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