william massey

Personal details

Full Name:

  • William Ferguson Massey

Lifetime:

  • 26 Mar 185610 May 1925

Prime Minister:

10 Jul 1912–10 May 1925

Age on becoming PM:

56

Electorate:

Franklin

Political Party:

Reform

Biography

William Massey is our second-longest serving leader. Although he was reviled by the left for crushing workers in 1913 with his ‘Massey’s Cossacks’ (strike-breakers), his legacy is being re-evaluated.

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Events In History

Articles

Parliament Buildings

  • Parliament Buildings

    Parliament buildings have been modified, destroyed by fire, half-built and restored; the parliamentary places and spaces have formed an important part of New Zealand's history.

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  • Page 3 - The halfway houseIn 1911, a competition was held for designs for a new building to house Parliament. From the 33 proposals, John Campbell's was selected and building began, although it did not all

Dominion status

  • Dominion status

    On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire.

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  • Page 4 - Demise of Dominion DayDominion Day, 26 September, never really took hold in New Zealand. Wellington was one of the few places that kept up ceremonies after

Brain food

  • Brain food

    This regularly updated section showcases current thinking on best practice, research and ideas useful for teachers planning and teaching history.

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  • Page 5 - Massey at MasseyThis stimulating conference showed that William Ferguson Massey, the erstwhile scourge of the workers, has not merely been rehabilitated but is headed for the Kiwi

The 1920s

  • The 1920s

    The 1920s was the decade that modern New Zealand came of age. Despite political and economic uncertainty, the country shrugged off the gloom of war to embrace the Jazz Age - an era of speed, power and glamour. Explore an overview of the decade and a year-by-year breakdown of key events.

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  • Page 8 - 1925 - key eventsA selection of key New Zealand events from