Lange worked from an early age and held a number of jobs; in the third form he performed a paper-round for "The New Zealand Herald" in Mangere East, and later changed from delivery-boy to collecting the money. The following year he delivered telegrams, before applying to work at the Westfield Freezing Works in the role that would initially pay his way through university. The poor work conditions at the freezing works provided an opportunity to identify with the misery of fellow workers, and an appreciation for the impact of strikes on ordinary workers.