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The "I love you, Mr Lange" moment.

Part one of three from this televised debate.

Part two of three from this televised debate.

Part three of three from this televised debate.

The credits for this televised debate.

The "I love you, Mr Lange" moment.

Part one of three from this televised debate.

Part two of three from this televised debate.

Part three of three from this televised debate.

The credits for this televised debate.

The 1984 Leaders Debate

Television (Full Length) – 1984

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BigFan ‎‎‎‎

5 May 2020 - 06.59pm

Fascinating to see two giant political figures butt heads in a debate. Imagine if Muldoon had debated Kirk in 1975.

visual rank

28 Sep 2014 - 12.03am

Interesting to see ... thank you it's well done :)

14 Aug 2014 - 12.25pm

Lange was the only politician who could foot it with the formidable Muldoon. Of the politicians today, only Winston Peters has that same air of bulldog type of confrontational debating skills as Muldoon. Lange was more of a skilled wordsmith.

22 Jul 2014 - 12.07pm

David Lange, a man of the people, ah David I knew you well. RIP big guy. The memories will never fade. Behind the scenes you did more for less fortunate folk, before, in and after politics.
A heart as big as the man.

Malcolm

12 Jul 2014 - 10.02pm

What is interesting here is that nothing has changed in New Zealand in 30 years. There is still an underclass who are always struggling. And the irony is Labour, with the help of Bob Jones's party, help make the rich richer and the poor poorer. They also help John Key to get rich.

John

11 Jul 2014 - 04.43pm

"I love you, Mr Lange" was not an admission of defeat, it was a sarcastic remark at Lange's summing-up comments which he cleverly directed at Muldoon instead of the audience.

Aquademica ab

8 Jul 2014 - 09.56am

Interesting to see ...

Blair

9 Dec 2013 - 09.28pm

Very interesting as the Methinol plant cost 160million to set up but was generating 110million a term, do your maths, it would have paid for itself over and over, nothing wrong with think big projects in my mind, you have to spend money to make money, now we have a situation whare we borrow lots and have nothing to show for it.

4 Sep 2013 - 06.56pm

I loved Muldoon! We need another leader like Muldoon..

Lily Pedro

6 Jun 2013 - 03.27am

Muldoon lied through his teeth. Still didn't work.

MCV

26 Apr 2013 - 01.18pm

Lange was so wrong about ANZUS and the future of it....

John.Doe

26 Apr 2013 - 12.53pm

Fascinating debate. Quite amazing to see that Labour hasnt changed at all. Labour promisies everything in opposition, and actually delivered nowhere near the land of milk and honey they promised. They still dont undertsand how economies grow and the need for foreign exchange.

Alan Benton

26 Oct 2012 - 01.22am

This is very important history for today's NZers ... because these statements could very well have been written yesterday, especially the opening statements stating their respective positions. Great stuff!

Suzanne Clark

7 Aug 2012 - 11.26am

I remember this well, even though I've never been a National Supporter, I did have a healthy respect for Mr Muldoon. From memory, I voted for Bob Jones's party at that election which as we all know, helped David Lange and Labour get in.

Ken Bennett

6 Jun 2012 - 02.01pm

even in 1984 it was a given that smaller class sizes equated to better educational achievment.

fmacskasy.wordpress.com

10 Nov 2011 - 07.55pm

I wonder... what would be the result if David Lange had the same debate - but this time with John Key? Who would be the winner of such an encounter?

I can imagine John Key yelling "Show me the money!" at Lange.

And Lange leaning in and responding with "And I'm going to show it to you if you hold your breath just for a moment ... I can smell the money on your breath!"