Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger Passes Away at 90

NZ's reformist and reconciling PM Jim Bolger dies at 90

Paul Keating has remembered former NZ prime minister Jim Bolger, who has died aged 90, as the "jolliest...

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger Passes Away at 90

New Zealand’s prime minister from 1990 to 1997, Jim Bolger, has died at the age of 90. He played a key role in transforming much of New Zealand society during his term in office, ushering in deep cuts to welfare, starting the process of compensating Māori tribes for land stolen in the 1800s, and bringing in mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting after it won support in a nationwide referendum. He came to power in 1990 as leader of the National P…

‘An excellent PM and an even better person’: memories of working with Jim Bolger

Jim Bolger, prime minister from 1990 to 1997, has died at the age of 90. We asked those who worked alongside him for their reflections. Bill Birch “He was a mate. A good mate. We both came from rural backgrounds, had a lot in common. We were both candidates for the National Party in 72, met at candidates’ conference in Waikanae at the scouts’ camp, and coalesced very quickly.  “He was absolutely passionate about doing things right for New Zealan…