Peter Fraser

Abstract

Peter Fraser is considered to be one of New Zealand’s greatest Prime Ministers.Fraser was a dominant Prime Minister whose imprimatur was felt across party,policy and politics. Fraser is well known for his contribution to New Zealand’s place in the world with his substantial role in the formation and objectives of the United Nations, which along with his war leadership and position as a Commonwealth elder gained him the high appellation of statesman - a rare honour for a New Zealand Prime Minister. This article concentrates on Fraser’s contribution to New Zealand’s identity through his fascinating political meanderings between independence and dependence in political and constitutional matters, which mirrored the country’s ambivalence between a separate national identity and interdependence moored with Britain and the Commonwealth. Though this may seem contradictory, Fraser’s policies accurately reflected New Zealand’s interests and position. Fraser, the first Prime Minister of 'independent’ New Zealand, was a powerful and dominant voice in New Zealand political history and continues to have an influential and enduring legacy on all his predecessors almost 60 years after he left office.