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Kiwi of the Week

Bernard Freyberg

A First World War hero and commander of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Bernard Freyberg was British-born but New Zealand-raised. He proved to be a charismatic and popular military leader who would later serve a term as Governor-General

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Today in History

13 August

2005 Death of David Lange

David Lange was New Zealand's youngest 20th-century prime minister. Renowned for his sharp wit and oratory, he is best remembered for his five years as leader of the fourth Labour government from 1984 to 1989. This was a turbulent era, characterised by New Zealand's strong anti-nuclear position, the implementation of 'Rogernomics' and other radical changes.

Lange had suffered poor health for many years, including diabetes and heart problems. In 2002 he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable blood plasma disorder. By July 2005 he was receiving dialysis treatment for kidney failure. He had his lower right leg amputated as a result of complications from diabetes before dying of heart failure on 13 August 2005. He was 63.