NZ’s leaders pay tribute to Sir Jim Bolger: A legacy of pragmatism and resilience

New Zealand’s political leaders are paying tribute to former Prime Minister Sir Jim Bolger, remembering him as a determined pragmatist who guided the country through a time of major economic and social reform.

Bolger died on Wednesday, aged 90. He led the National Party from 1986 to 1997 and served as Prime Minister from 1990 until he was ousted by Jenny Shipley, who became the first female Prime Minister.

In an interview on Pacific Mornings, Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters described Bolger’s passing as a sad day and acknowledged the former Prime Minister’s resilience during some of Aotearoa’s toughest political years.

“We were promised an $89 million surplus and it was a $3.2 billion deficit, and then catastrophically, the response to that almost saw him lose the 1993 election,” Peters says. “In fact, on that night, it was a hung Parliament.”

He reflected on the political shifts of the 1990s, such as the introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional voting system during Bolger’s time in office, saying it was a response to the government failing to listen to the people.

“When you can say he stood up, he got to be the leader of this country, and he was a better prime minister than many have been,” Peters says.

Watch Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters' full interview below.

Former National MP and the party’s first Pacific MP, Anae Arthur Anae, told Pacific Mornings that Bolger’s leadership impacted his life.

“He was the one that made sure that I was listed high for the first MMP so that I could be in Parliament, and he did that for me,” Anae says.

“I'll never forget that and the fact that I asked him that he should go to Sāmoa to get his high title because he deserves it. He accepted that.”

Listen to Anae Arthur Anae's full interview below.

Bolger was honoured with the title ‘Anae from Falelatai’. He also adopted a son from Sāmoa, a relationship that Anae says Bolger supported through his education.

Anae became emotional while recalling Bogler’s ousting in 1997 by his caucus while he was overseas, calling it “gutless”.

“I've got to give credit to Helen Clark that she gave credit to his ability. He became the ambassador in Washington and the various positions he's had since he retired and he leaves a legacy that's very difficult to even compete with.”

Jim Bolger was made a Member of The Order of New Zealand in 1997. Photo/Supplied