The alliance between the Ratana Church and the Labour Party was cemented at an historic meeting between T.W. Ratana and Prime Minister M.J. Savage on 22 April 1936.
Michael Joseph Savage, New Zealand’s first Labour PM, was probably also it's best-loved. His avuncular image hung in the homes of the Labour faithful for decades.
In declaring New Zealand's support for Britain in the war with Germany that had just begun, an ailing Michael Joseph Savage famously told the nation that 'Where she goes, we go. Where she stands, we stand'.
The first Labour government assumed office as a result of its landslide victory in November's general election. Led initially by the charismatic Michael Joseph Savage, this government is best remembered for its significant social welfare reforms.
Lee's criticisms of the dying Prime Minister M.J. Savage's leadership and his dissatisfaction with economic policy led to his expulsion from the Labour Party. Savage died two days later.
The train carrying Savage's body north to Auckland made 20 stops, allowing thousands of people to pay their last respects. Huge crowds lined the route to his burial site at Bastion Point, above Waitemata Harbour.
