Savage, Michael Joseph (1872–1940)

New Zealand Labour left-of-centre politician, prime minister 1935–40. He introduced much social security legislation and a popular marketing act, which helped Labour secure re-election in October 1938. He was also concurrently minister in charge of broadcasting and relations with the Maori peoples and, as foreign minister, pledged support to the UK during World War II. He died in office and was succeeded as prime minister by Peter Fraser.

Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, he emigrated to South Island in 1907 and became a labour union organiser. He was a founding member of the Labour Party in 1916 and became an MP in 1919 and leader of the Labour Party in 1933. His optimism and self-confidence, at a time of economic depression, and his courting of rural interests secured victory for Labour in the November 1935 general election and he became New Zealand's first Labour prime minister.