On December 10 1928, Joseph Ward became Prime Minister of New Zealand for a 2nd time. Ward was born in Melbourne on 26 April 1856 to a Roman Catholic family of Irish descent. In 1863, the family moved to Bluff (then officially known as Campbelltown), in New Zealand's Southland region, seeking better financial security. In 1869, Ward found a job at the Post Office, and then as a clerk. Later, with the help of a loan from his mother, Ward began to work as a freelance trader, selling supplies to the newly established Southland farming community.

Ward became involved in local politics very quickly. He was elected to the Campbelltown (Bluff) Borough Council in 1878, despite being only 21 years old – at age 25 he became Mayor, the youngest in New Zealand. He also served on the Bluff Harbour Board, eventually becoming its chairman. In 1887, Ward stood for Parliament, winning the seat of Awarua. Politically, Ward was a supporter of politicians such as Julius Vogel and Robert Stout, leaders of the liberal wing of Parliament – Ward's support was unusual in the far south. Ward became known as a strong debater on economic matters. In 1891, when the newly founded Liberal Party came to power, the new Prime Minister, John Ballance, appointed Ward as Postmaster General. Later, when Richard Seddon became Prime Minister after Ballance's death, Ward became Treasurer (Minister of Finance).

On the occasion of the visit of HRH the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) to New Zealand, he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for overseeing the introduction of the Penny Post throughout New Zealand. Ward’s first time as Prime Minister ran from 6th August 1906 to 28 March 1912.

In the 1928 election campaign, Ward startled both his supporters and his audience by promising to borrow £70 million in the course of a year to revive the economy – this is believed to have been a mistake caused by Ward's failing eyesight. Despite the strong objections his party had to this "promise", it was sufficient to prompt a massive surge in support for United – in the election United gained the same number of seats as Reform. With the backing of the Labour Party, Ward became Prime Minister again, 22 years after his original appointment. Ward's health continued to decline. Ward was determined not to resign, and remained Prime Minister well after he had lost the ability to perform that role. On 28 May 1930, Ward succumbed to strong pressure from his colleagues and his family, and passed the premiership to George Forbes.

This image of Sir Joseph Ward is from a collection of publicity photos transferred to Archives New Zealand by State Insurance Limited. The photographs in this series were created and used by the State Insurance Office. The images were used for publicity and advertising, staff training, social events, staff and official publications, and the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. Collected by State Insurance Head Office, many of the images document individuals (usually management), buildings and offices, and staff activities (work and social) from branch and regional offices.Reference: AAXF 19735 W3623 box 36 archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=18339408 For further enquires please email Research.Archives@dia.govt.nz