Juggernaut 2: The Story of the Fourth National Government

Season 1, Episode 4: Quantum Leap

Roger Douglas’s overhaul of the NZ economy kicks through the gears, sending thousands to the dole queue. Labour is returned to power and when the global crash hits Douglas goes harder and faster.

04 Jul 2024

Season 1, Episode 4: Quantum Leap

More about the episode

Roger Douglas’s radical overhaul of the NZ economy kicks through the gears. A new investor class gets high on champagne and shares. What could go wrong? A bonfire of subsidies leaves farmers on their knees. Corporatisation sends thousands of state workers to the dole queue. Labour is returned to power in 1987 despite a campaign with starkly contrasting messages. For Lange, victory is bittersweet. When the global crash smashes New Zealand, Douglas seizes the opportunity to go harder, and go faster.

New and exclusive interviews with Richard Prebble, Rudi Robinson-Cole, Kevin Geddes, Kim Workman, Bob Harvey, Geoffrey Palmer, Richard Prebble and Margaret Wilson.

Click here for full details of archive material used in this series

Juggernaut was made with the support of NZ On Air.