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Lange's anti-nuclear stance became a hallmark of New Zealand's identity The former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange, who has died aged 63, introduced an aggressively anti-nuclear stance and bold modernising of socialist politics to the world stage. Before he took over the leadership of New Zealand's Labour Party in 1983, the left-leaning party's anti-nuclear stance had made little impact. But it was soon to become one of the cornerstones of the country's foreign policy - and one that would put it on a collision course with the US in some of the darkest days of the Cold War. When...

Former prime minister David Lange, who has died at the age of 63, was a colossus of New Zealand politics. David Russell Lange, prime minister for five tumultuous years from 1984, died at 10pm yesterday. In a brief statement, Lange's family said he had died from the complications of renal failure with his close family by his side. His family thanked the staff of Auckland's Middlemore Hospital and especially ward 1 for their care and support. Lange's wit, debating skills and remarkable influence internationally and within the Labour Party were the hallmarks of his career. Born in Auckland, the eldest...