David Russell Lange was leader of the fourth Labour Government and Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984–1989. He was New Zealand’s youngest prime minister during the 20th century and the first Labour leader since the 1940s to achieve a second term as Prime Minister.

In 1977 Lange entered Parliament as the Labour MP for Mangere. In 1979 he was elected Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and in 1983 became Leader of the Opposition following the resignation of Bill Rowling. Lange was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989, presiding over one of the most dramatic periods of political change in New Zealand's history. Following his resignation as Prime Minister, Lange held the positions of Attorney-General, Minister in Charge of the Serious Fraud Office, and Minister of State, from 1989 to 1990.

Lange is remembered as a witty and gifted orator, demonstrated in his iconic quip about smelling uranium on the breath of his opponent at a 1985 debate at the Oxford Union – for audio of this debate go to: nzhistory.net.nz/media/sound/oxford-union-debate

Lange was also known to have enjoyed driving rally cars. This undated photograph comes from a series of photographs, pictures, drawings and non-photographic material which cover both his time as a Member of Parliament and Prime Minister. Some of these items have been sent by the New Zealand High Commission while others have been sent by private photographers/admirers or representatives of foreign governments. There are also a range of publicity photos from all stages of his political career. Many correspondents requested autographed photos of David Lange. All papers offered to Archives New Zealand by David Lange were accepted for acquisition.

Archives reference: AAWW 7123 W4640 1/