Sir Joseph Ward (1856-1930) was the leading political figure during the forty-year life of the Liberal Party in New Zealand. He was a member of Ballance's first Cabinet, twice Prime Minister (1906-12 and 1928-30), and was still a Cabinet Minister at the time of his death. This lively biography is the story of an ambitious first-generation New Zealander of Irish Catholic parents who spent more than half a century in local and central government politics, influencing the directions taken in many areas of New Zealand life. It contains much new material about Ward's private business dealings, his flourishing Southland company, his bankruptcy and his remarkable rehabilitation. Michael Bassett reveals a genial, courteous, fast-talking man of vision who nevert

Michael Bassett is the author or co-author of eleven books on New Zealand's political history. Dr Bassett was New Zealand's Minister of Health and Local Government between 1984 and 1987, and Minister of Internal Affairs, Local Government, Civil Defence and Arts and Culture between 1987 and 1990. He has taught history at the University of Auckland, and was a visiting Professor of History in Canada and the United States between 1992 and 2002. He spent ten years (1994-2004) as a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.