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- By MP for Port Waikato Andrew Bayly
In May, I will address Parliament to acknowledge the anniversary of Rt Hon William
Ferguson Massey, who passed away on May 10, 1925, whilst in office as New Zealand’s 19th Prime Minister.
Bill Massey, as he was more commonly known, was a founding figure in the history of our
nation and served as the elected MP for Franklin from 1896 to 1925.
Born in 1856 in Limavady in Northern Ireland, Massey emigrated to New Zealand in 1870 to join his family, who were farming in Auckland. He married Christina in 1882, and in 1890
purchased what is now known as the Massey Homestead in Māngere.
Massey’s political journey began when he joined the Reform Party (which would become
part of the modern-day National Party), which was focused on representing rural interests and challenging the dominance of the Liberal Party in New Zealand.
His leadership skills and genial personality led to his being unanimously elected as the
Reform Party’s leader in 1903, which, under his leadership, slowly gained in popularity.
After a vote of no confidence in the Liberal-led Government in 1912, Massey was appointed
Prime Minister.
Massey’s tenure was marked by a variety of significant events, but he is renowned for his
leadership during the First World War. Massey managed to unite the country in support of the war effort, and under his leadership, New Zealand became heavily involved in the war,
particularly in the Gallipoli campaign and later on the Western Front.
Massey made five extended visits overseas while he was Prime Minister, at a time when such trips involved a journey by sea of several weeks. During his first trip in 1916, he visited NZ troops, many of whom were in hospital after the battle of the Somme. In 1919, he travelled to France, where he signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of New Zealand.
He suffered greatly with cancer towards the end of his life and died at the age of 69.
An exhibition highlighting Massey’s life and legacy will be on display in the foyer of The
Beehive in Wellington from May to October.
For electorate issues, contact me at andrew@baylymp.co.nz
