In the 1922 election, New Zealand Labour…

In the 1922 election, New Zealand Labour party, the Liberal party’s philosophical heirs, had more than doubled its number of seats, winning seventeen.

In the 1925 election, it declined somewhat, but had the consolation of soon overtaking the Liberals as the second largest party.

Harry Holland became the official Leader of the Opposition on June 16, 1926, after the Eden by-election on 15 April elected Rex Mason (Labour) to replace Christopher Parr (Reform) who had resigned.

After the 1928 election, however, the party was left in an advantageous position — the Reform Party and the new United Party (a revival of the Liberals) were tied on 27 seats each, and neither could govern without Labour support.

Labour chose to back United, the party closest to its own views — this put an end to five terms of Reform Party government.

The rigors of the Great Depression have brought Labour considerable popularity, but also caused tension between Labour and the United Party.

In 1931, United had passed a number of economic measures which Labour deemed hostile to workers, and the agreement between the two parties collapsed.

United then formed a coalition government with Reform, making Labour the Opposition.

The coalition retained power in the 1931 election, but gradually, the public became highly dissatisfied with its failure to resolve the country's economic problems.

The Labour party gains control in 1935 in a massive victory, gaining 53 seats to the coalition's 19.

Michael Joseph Savage, leader of the Labour Party, becomes Prime Minister on December 6, 1935, marking the beginning of Labour's first term in office.

The new government quickly sets about implementing a number of significant reforms, including a reorganization of the social welfare system and the creation of the state housing scheme.

Labour also pursues an alliance with the Māori Ratana movement.

Savage himself is highly popular with the working classes, and his portrait can be found on the walls of many houses around the country.

The opposition, meanwhile, attacks the Labour Party's more left-wing policies, and accuses it of undermining free enterprise and hard work.