The 1933 New Zealand Labour Party leadership election was held on 12 October 1933 to choose the third leader of the

New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party ( mi, Rōpū Reipa o Aotearoa), or simply Labour (), is a centre-left political party in New Zealand. The party's platform programme describes its founding principle as democratic socialism, while observers descr ...

. The election was won by

Auckland West The former New Zealand parliamentary electorate on the western inner city of Auckland, was known as City of Auckland West from 1861 to 1890, and then Auckland West from 1905 to 1946. Population centres From 1861 to 1884 the electorate compris ...

MP and incumbent deputy-leader

Michael Joseph Savage Michael Joseph Savage (23 March 1872 – 27 March 1940) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 23rd prime minister of New Zealand, heading the First Labour Government from 1935 until his death in 1940. Savage was born in the Colony ...

Background

Previous Labour leader

Harry Holland Henry Edmund Holland (10 June 1868 – 8 October 1933) was an Australian-born newspaper owner, politician and unionist who relocated to New Zealand. He was the second leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. Early life Holland was born at G ...

had led the party since 1919. He led them unsuccessfully in five elections between then and 1931. Holland had died attending the funeral of the Maori king on 8 October 1933, leading to the position of party leader to become vacant.

Candidates

Michael Joseph Savage

Michael Joseph Savage had served as a Member of Parliament since 1919. Most saw Savage, the deputy leader as the natural successor to Holland. Longtime colleague

Peter Fraser Peter Fraser (; 28 August 1884 – 12 December 1950) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 24th prime minister of New Zealand from 27 March 1940 until 13 December 1949. Considered a major figure in the history of the New Zealand Lab ...

ruled out running and openly backed Savage.

John A. Lee

Lee was a flamboyant socialist who had aspirations of leadership himself. He sought nominations from both Fraser and

Frank Langstone Frank Langstone (10 December 1881 – 15 June 1969) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and High Commissioner to Canada. Biography Early life Langstone was born in Bulls probably on 10 December 1881. He was the fourth of ...

. Langstone offered him support if he decided to stand. However once Fraser nominated Savage, Lee declined, thinking it obvious that he would not succeed.

Peter Fraser

was another proposed option as leader, but ruled out running for the leadership himself in favour of Savage.

Result

As Savage was the only candidate officially nominated, he won the leadership unopposed. Savage's chief supporter, Peter Fraser, was elected as the new Deputy-leader.

Aftermath

Savage led the Labour Party until his death in 1940. He led them to successive election victories in

1935 Events January * January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude Franco-Italian Agreement of 1935, an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims. * ...

and

1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...

, becoming New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister.

References

* {{New Zealand Labour Party Labour Party leadership

1933 Events January * January 11 – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith makes the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. * January 17 – The United States Congress votes in favour of Philippines independence, against the wis ...

New Zealand Labour Party leadership election