joseph ward

This image from around 1906 shows the growth of vegetation surrounding Premier House since the time of Julius Vogel's residency in the 1880s.

Joseph Ward and his family outside the gates of Premier House (which he called Awarua House), Tinakori Road, Wellington. This photograph was taken in 1906, the year Ward succeeded Richard Seddon as Prime Minister.

Joseph Ward (1856–1930) cut a debonair figure on the political scene with his tailored suits and carefully waxed moustache.

Ward, pictured here early in the 20th century, was prime minister from 1906 to 1912 and 1928 to 1930.

• See biography of Joseph Ward

Prime Minister William Massey and Joseph Ward inspect the New Zealand Cyclist Corps.

The New Zealand Cyclist Corps, part of the 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion, was heavily involved in the Belgian offensives of 1917. Bicycles were useful for transporting men and light equipment over large distances in much less time than it would take troops on foot – despite often being hampered by the terrain and muddy conditions, they could easily cover 60 kilometres a day. Cyclists also performed tasks such as traffic control, tree felling, cable laying, trench repairs and reconnaissance.

At Messines the battalion prepared an 1800-metre track from the Allies’ reserve line across the former no-man’s land and through abandoned German trenches to a point called Middlefarm to enable the mounted troops to get through. Several members of the battalion were killed, and 19 were wounded carrying out this dangerous work.

The proclamation on 26 September 1907 announces the 'Colony of New Zealand to be styled Dominion of New Zealand'.

Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward stands on the steps of Parliament Buildings, Wellington, and reads his 'message to the people of New Zealand' at the official ceremony to proclaim New Zealand a dominion on 26 September 1907. The governor, Lord Plunket, stands to the right of Ward.