Julius Vogel becomes premier

Julius Vogel was the dominant political figure of the 1870s, serving as Colonial Treasurer and premier on several occasions, and borrowing heavily to fund a massive programme of immigration and public works.

Born in London of Jewish-Dutch parentage, Vogel worked as a journalist and editor in Australia before settling in Dunedin in 1861. He was the founding editor of the Otago Daily Times, New Zealand’s first daily newspaper. Elected to Parliament in 1863, he became Colonial Treasurer in William Fox’s government in 1869.

To revive the faltering economy Vogel initiated a bold 10-year programme of public works and large-scale assisted immigration. This was to be funded by extensive borrowing on the London money market. The success of this policy depended on the rapid and cheap acquisition of Māori land by the Crown. Vogel and his supporters were certain that Māori and settlers would be reconciled after the recent New Zealand Wars once Māori and their land were fully integrated into the European economy.

Vogel served as premier until July 1875 and for another seven-month period in 1876. His ambitious and revolutionary programme had transformed the colony, whose non-Māori population nearly doubled between 1871 and 1881.

Vogel tried to implement similar policies when he returned as Colonial Treasurer in Robert Stout’s 1884–87 administration. His efforts met with much less success in the middle of the Long Depression.