In March 1891 he jumped ship in Auckland and took the name Edwin John Howard before joining up again with Harriett in Australia.

[2] Soon after arriving he became involved in the trade union movement at a time when interest in socialism was beginning to grow.

[1] In 1910 Howard became a frequent contributor to the Maoriland Worker newspaper after it was purchased by the New Zealand Federation of Labour.

[4] He was secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Independent Political Labour League from 1905 to 1908 before transferring his allegiance to the Socialist Party and was its national president in 1912.

"[1] Howard spoke most frequently on matters pertaining to education, wage arbitration and New Zealand's administration of its Pacific island territories.

[8] By the time Labour finally won government after the 1935 election, Howard was left out of the cabinet, particularly due to his failing health from high blood pressure.

[9] In consolation he was offered the post of Administrator of Western Samoa, but Howard declined feeling that resigning his seat to accept would betray the trust of his electorate.

[10] Labour's victory had come too late for Howard, leading him to become an elder statesman of the party in his final years.

Eventually, Mabel was elected as a Member of Parliament for Christchurch East after a 1943 by-election, becoming the country's fifth female MP.