Jim Bolger

Prime Minister

Bolger's National government continued the economic and social reforms of the previous Labour government, with Finance Minister Ruth Richardson implementing drastic cuts in public spending, particularly in health and welfare. In addition, it continued the previous Labour government's anti-nuclear policy.

Related Topics:
Finance Minister - Ruth Richardson - Labour

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In spite of his party's opposition, Bolger held a referendum on whether or not New Zealand should change from the British style electoral system of 'first past the post' to one of proportional representation. In 1992, New Zealanders voted to change to the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. This was confirmed in a binding referendum held at the same time as the 1993 general election, which National won. Bolger had originally proposed a return to a bicameral system, with an elected Senate, but this proposal was dropped in the face of support for electoral reform.

Related Topics:
Proportional representation - 1992 - Mixed Member Proportional - 1993 - Bicameral - Senate

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In 1994 Bolger caused surprise by suggesting that New Zealand should follow Australia if the latter severed links with the British monarchy and became a republic by doing likewise, but this received little popular support, as did proposals to end the status of the Privy Council as the country's highest court of appeal. His government ended the awarding of British honours in New Zealand, introducing a New Zealand Honours System.

Related Topics:
1994 - Australia - British monarchy - Republic - Privy Council - Honours - New Zealand Honours System

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In 1996 New Zealand had its first election under MMP, and Bolger became caretaker Prime Minister until a coalition with a majority in parliament could be formed. Both Bolger and Labour leader Helen Clark sought the support of New Zealand First, which held the balance of power in the new House. Its leader, Winston Peters, had left the National Party to form his own party, and opposed many of the free-market reforms implemented by National, and Labour before it. In December of that year a coalition was formed between National and New Zealand First, with Peters being appointed to the new post of Treasurer (senior to the already existing post of Finance Minister, which was given to National's Bill Birch).

Related Topics:
1996 - Coalition - Helen Clark - New Zealand First - Winston Peters - Finance Minister - Bill Birch

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Bolger was quasi-affectionately nicknamed "Spud" because of his facial features and Irish ancestry. The Royal New Zealand Air Force nicknamed his Boeing 727 "Spud One". Bolger disliked the "Spud" tag but he answered to it when journalist Bill Ralston addressed him in a press conference, "Yo, Spud". During a public appearance with the Irish Prime Minister, Bolger (who tended to mirror those he was talking to) embarrassingly spoke in an Irish accent.

Related Topics:
Royal New Zealand Air Force - Boeing 727 - Spud One - Bill Ralston - Irish Prime Minister

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Growing opposition to Bolger's slow pace led Transport Minister Jenny Shipley to stage a caucus coup in 1997. Bolger was out of the country at the time, and when he returned he found that he didn't have enough support in his caucus to remain as party leader and prime minister. He resigned on 8 December, and Shipley became New Zealand's first woman prime minister. As a sop to Bolger, he was made a junior minister in Shipley's government.

Related Topics:
Jenny Shipley - 1997 - 8 December

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He retired as MP for Taranaki-King Country in 1998, prompting a by-election in that electorate. He was subsequently appointed as Ambassador to the United States. On his return to New Zealand, he was appointed Chairman of the state-owned Kiwibank. Bolger was made a member of the Order of New Zealand in 1997.

Related Topics:
A by-election in that electorate - United States - Kiwibank - Order of New Zealand

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Bolger is a Roman Catholic with nine children and voted pro-life whenever the issue came up in a conscience vote.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Pro-life

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