Former PM David Lange dies14/08/2005 6:38:16 Former Prime Minister David Lange has died after a long illness at the age of 63. He passed away at 10 o'clock last night in Middlemore Hospital in Auckland of complications from diabetes and renal failure. His family was at his side. They say they want to thank the staff at Middlemore for their care and support during Mr Lange's final days. Mr Lange was taken to hospital on July 15 and had his right leg amputated below the knee after complications from diabetes. In 2002, Mr Lange was diagnosed with a rare incurable plasma disorder, which causes a build-up of excess protein from bone marrow and damages the organs. David Russell Lange entered Parliament in 1977 and succeeded Bill Rowling as leader of the Labour Party in 1983. National Prime Minister Rob Muldoon's misjudgement in calling a snap election the next year put Mr Lange into power, and launched one of the greatest periods of economic and social upheaval in New Zealand. David Lange exploded onto the international stage with his opposition to nuclear weapons, including his ban on US nuclear ship visits, which stands today. In 1985, at the height of the row, the always quick-witted David Lange told a nuclear weapons supporter, "Hold your breath for just a moment; I can smell the uranium on it." At a press conference that year, he was asked if the United States would pull the rug on New Zealand. The Prime Minister did not think the Americans would but said "they might polish the lino a bit harder and hope that I execute a rather unseemly glide across it". His Prime Ministership left an indelible stamp on New Zealand. His leadership, from 1984 to 1989, marks New Zealand's coming of age as a member of the international community. In 1985 David Lange earned immense kudos by standing up for his country over the French bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland. He said the idea the bombers could act on the orders of a foreign power and commit a criminal act in another country with impunity was absurd. The world famous Lange wit was there until the end. In an interview last year, on the 20th anniversary of Rob Muldoon calling the snap election which brought him to power, Mr Lange talked about his incurable blood disease amyloidosis and quipped he had so few platelets they were on first name terms. David Lange is survived by his wife, Margaret Pope, and four children. The tributes are flowing for David Lange. Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is deeply saddened to learn of Mr Lange's death. She says her thoughts are with his family and friends. Miss Clark says David Lange's legacy will be his advocacy for a nuclear free New Zealand which she says remains as relevant now as it was in the 1980s. Former Finance Minister Roger Douglas calls Mr Lange a truly exceptional Prime Minister. He says his intellect and wit will be sadly missed. The pace of economic reforms under David Lange's leadership attracted international attention and changed New Zealand forever. Dubbed Rogernomics after Lange's Finance Minister Roger Douglas, the rapid reforms made government more accountable and efficient, but also created a lot of pain. Mr Lange had a deep falling out with Roger Douglas, when the extent of the reforms became too much. David Lange will be remembered for many things, not least his razor-sharp wit. He was famous for what journalist Tom Scott called 'verbal arabesques'. In the Defence Quarterly in 1993, Mr Lange said "Our military forces are an arm of government, just like the Department of Social Welfare, although probably less able to inflict widespread harm." Of then-opposition leader Jim Bolger in 1987, he said "He's gone around the country stirring up apathy." Former Prime Minister David Lange has died after a long illness at the age of 63. He passed away at 10 o'clock last night in Middlemore Hospital in Auckland of complications from diabetes and renal failure. His family was at his side. They say they want to thank the staff at Middlemore for their care and support during Mr Lange's final days. Mr Lange was taken to hospital on July 15 and had his right leg amputated below the knee after complications from diabetes. In 2002, Mr Lange was diagnosed with a rare incurable plasma disorder, which causes a build-up of excess protein from bone marrow and damages the organs. David Russell Lange entered Parliament in 1977 and succeeded Bill Rowling as leader of the Labour Party in 1983. National Prime Minister Rob Muldoon's misjudgement in calling a snap election the next year put Mr Lange into power, and launched one of the greatest periods of economic and social upheaval in New Zealand. David Lange exploded onto the international stage with his opposition to nuclear weapons, including his ban on US nuclear ship visits, which stands today. In 1985, at the height of the row, the always quick-witted David Lange told a nuclear weapons supporter, "Hold your breath for just a moment; I can smell the uranium on it." At a press conference that year, he was asked if the United States would pull the rug on New Zealand. The Prime Minister did not think the Americans would but said "they might polish the lino a bit harder and hope that I execute a rather unseemly glide across it". His Prime Ministership left an indelible stamp on New Zealand. His leadership, from 1984 to 1989, marks New Zealand's coming of age as a member of the international community. In 1985 David Lange earned immense kudos by standing up for his country over the French bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland. He said the idea the bombers could act on the orders of a foreign power and commit a criminal act in another country with impunity was absurd. The world famous Lange wit was there until the end. In an interview last year, on the 20th anniversary of Rob Muldoon calling the snap election which brought him to power, Mr Lange talked about his incurable blood disease amyloidosis and quipped he had so few platelets they were on first name terms. David Lange is survived by his wife, Margaret Pope, and four children. The tributes are flowing for David Lange. Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is deeply saddened to learn of Mr Lange's death. She says her thoughts are with his family and friends. Miss Clark says David Lange's legacy will be his advocacy for a nuclear free New Zealand which she says remains as relevant now as it was in the 1980s. Former Finance Minister Roger Douglas calls Mr Lange a truly exceptional Prime Minister. He says his intellect and wit will be sadly missed. The pace of economic reforms under David Lange's leadership attracted international attention and changed New Zealand forever. Dubbed Rogernomics after Lange's Finance Minister Roger Douglas, the rapid reforms made government more accountable and efficient, but also created a lot of pain. Mr Lange had a deep falling out with Roger Douglas, when the extent of the reforms became too much. David Lange will be remembered for many things, not least his razor-sharp wit. He was famous for what journalist Tom Scott called 'verbal arabesques'. In the Defence Quarterly in 1993, Mr Lange said "Our military forces are an arm of government, just like the Department of Social Welfare, although probably less able to inflict widespread harm." Of then-opposition leader Jim Bolger in 1987, he said "He's gone around the country stirring up apathy." Listen Live |
