After that, whenever I drove past Mangakahia, I would empty my ashtray — and I was a heavy smoker in those days — on the road outside the hall.

Lange had been invited during the election campaign to speak with local farmers in the Mangakahia hall. The meeting lasted well over three hours, with many questions and vigorous displays of support. However on election day, of the 88 votes cast in Mangakahia, none were for Lange's Labour Party.