Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died aged 90.
His family said he died peacefully yesterday, surrounded by his nine children, 18 grandchildren and wife Joan.
“Over the period of his illness, Jim and the family have greatly appreciated the support and companionship of so many friends near and far,” a statement from his family read.
“Joan and family would also like to thank the renal team and all the wonderful staff at Wellington Regional Hospital and Wellington Free Ambulance for their care of Jim over recent months.
Jim Bolger’s death at 90 marks the end of an era in New Zealand politics. Audrey Young reflects on the remarkable life and legacy of a man who left school at 15 and rose to become our country’s 35th Prime Minister. Read the full obituary here and follow our live blog below.
“Jim was much loved and will be deeply missed.”
Bolger had been undergoing dialysis since kidney failure last year, and celebrated his 90th birthday in May with a large gathering of family, friends and neighbours.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Bolger was a “towering figure in New Zealand’s political life – a leader of conviction, a reformer of consequence, and a servant of the people whose legacy has shaped our nation in profound and lasting ways".
“To those who worked alongside him, he was a principled and formidable colleague. To his political opponents, he was a worthy adversary who never allowed disagreement to become personal.
“And to New Zealand, he was a leader who believed in the strength of our democracy, the promise of fairness, and the dignity of service.
“On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I extend our deepest condolences to Mr Bolger’s wife, Joan, his children and grandchildren, and all those who knew and loved him.
“Jim Bolger served with integrity and purpose. He leaves behind a legacy that will be studied, debated, and respected for generations.”
NZ First leader Winston Peters said Bolger was a “proud, proud New Zealander who served his country as Prime Minister during a difficult period of serious transition in our politics”.
Peters and Bolger led New Zealand’s first MMP Government from 1996 onwards, a coalition between NZ First and National.
Everyone with a knowledge of New Zealand political history from the late 1980s and early 1990s will know that the two of us sometimes had our policy differences!
“As the leader of Mr Bolger’s coalition partner, I can attest he was a man of his word. He did what he said he would do - and we ran our Coalition Government with integrity, focus and a fidelity to New Zealanders who had delivered a majority to our two political parties.
“Mr Bolger should be remembered warmly as a New Zealander who devoted his life to our great country.”
James Brendan Bolger was born in Ōpunake, Taranaki, in 1935 – the son of Irish immigrants.
He left Ōpunake High School at just 15 to work on the family farm, later farming with Joan in Rahotu and Te Kūiti before entering politics.
In 1990, Bolger led the National Party to a landslide victory – the largest in its history – to become the country’s 35th Prime Minister for seven years until 1997.
He oversaw the first of many Treaty of Waitangi settlements, later saying his Irish ancestry had helped him to engage emotionally with Māori.
During his second term in office, Bolger presided over electoral reform, including the introduction of the MMP electoral system in 1996.
That led to him forming New Zealand’s first coalition Government – with the New Zealand First Party.
Bolger later became New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, then Chancellor of the University of Waikato, and chairman of several state-owned enterprises, including New Zealand Post.
In 1998, he was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand – an honour that can be held by only 20 living New Zealanders at a time.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, and their children, Dan, Paul, Brian, Stephen, Bernadette, Fiona, Rachael, Matt and Aidan.
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