Harry Holland Memorial

This memorial pays tribute to the Australian-born leader of the New Zealand Labour Party of the 1930s, Harry (Henry Edmund) Holland (10 Jun 1868–8 Oct 1933). A full account of his life is accessible here.

Holland was said to have been charismatic and did much to muster support for the socialist cause in New Zealand from the time of his arrival in 1913. As a unionist and as the editor of the Maoriland workerhe was charged with sedition during the 1913 waterfront strike and served 3½ months in prison. He led the Labour Party from 1919 until his death in 1933 with a belief in socialism as an answer to society's problems but was unsuccessful in leading the paty into government. After his sudden death the midst of the great depression he was regarded as the champion of the common people and given a state funeral.

This monument in the Bolton Street cemetery features a group of marble figures aspiring upwards towards universal prosperity and carries the inscription: 'He devoted his life to free the world from unhappiness, tyranny and oppression'.

His successor, the much admired leader, Michael Joseph Savage took the Labour Party to its first victory.

The only other memorial to Holland is the rundown library in socialist Seddonville.