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Scoop
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
'I've Had A Wonderful Life': 90 Years Of Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger, who was the prime minister between 1990 and 1997, turned 90 on Saturday. He reflected on the last nine decades of his life on Sunday Morning - after having celebrated with a "big gathering" of family, friends, and neighbours. On his political career, Bolger said the biggest issue was to get Pākehā to "face up to the reality that we owed Māori". "We took big steps in the economy, and got the economy going, and all the rest, but the country and society is more than the economy," he said. "Māori ... had been badly, badly treated by the early settlers, we owed Māori redress and change. "I put that higher than managing the books, as it were, with the help of others, and of course you're always helped by others, but the Treaty principles and recognition that the early European settlers did not treat Māori fairly, I think was hugely important." Bolger said he did not understand those, such as David Seymour - who had also been sworn in as deputy prime minister on Saturday - who "want to diminish the role of Māori in New Zealand". "They were here first, they were here very much before everybody else, and they have been part of our history from that time on." He said the current prime minister, Christopher Luxon, needed to tell Seymour "to shut up with his anti-Māori rhetoric" - and to thank Winston Peters for what he's doing in foreign affairs - "because I think he's doing that job well". "Winston's a very interesting political figure, there's no question about it. He's certainly left his mark on politics in New Zealand." Bolger said his Irish ancestry helped him engage emotionally and attitudinally with Māori. "I sort of instinctively knew what it was like to be treated as second-class citizens, and Māori were treated as second-class citizens. And some people still want to do that." Bolger grew up in coastal Taranaki, and said he was not taught "a single word" about the invasion of a pacifist settlement at Parihaka, but was taught about War of the Roses in England. Reflecting on his life outside of his political career, he could not say what he was most proud of - "I think it'd be foolish to try and select one over another." He began as a farmer - from helping his neighbour to milk cows at nine, to leaving Ōpunake High School at 15 to work on the family dairy farm, and owning his own near Rahotu at 27. He got married and moved to a sheep and beef farm in Te Kūiti two years later. Bolger then joined the National Party and was an MP, the leader of the opposition, and then the prime minister after National won the 1990 general election. He later became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States, was elected Chancellor of the University of Waikato, and has been the chairman of a number of state-owned enterprises and other organisations. Bolger was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993, and was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand in 1998. He also has nine children and 18 grandchildren. "They were all important and very interesting positions to have, and I enjoyed it," Bolger said. "When you get to 90, and reflecting back over my variety of positions I've had across the world, and the countries I've visited, which are without number, there's so many, that it's just been very fortunate. "I've had a wonderful life with a wonderful wife and family, and it's all been good." As for advice he would give to New Zealanders, Bolger said the main thing would be to listen to others. "Don't try and dictate to them, listen to them, see what they're saying, see what their issues are, see what their concerns are, and then you might be able to make a sensible suggestion to help their lives. "And if you approach it from that direction, you know, how can I help this person or that person, then I'm sure you'll be much more satisfied with your life, and hopefully, they will be better off."
Otago Daily Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
'I've had a wonderful life': Former PM turns 90
Jim Bolger, who was the prime minister between 1990 and 1997, turned 90 on Saturday. He reflected on the last nine decades of his life on Sunday morning - after having celebrated with a "big gathering" of family, friends, and neighbours. On his political career, Bolger said the biggest issue was to get Pākehā to "face up to the reality that we owed Māori". "We took big steps in the economy, and got the economy going, and all the rest, but the country and society is more than the economy," he said. "Māori ... had been badly, badly treated by the early settlers, we owed Māori redress and change. "I put that higher than managing the books, as it were, with the help of others, and of course you're always helped by others, but the Treaty principles and recognition that the early European settlers did not treat Māori fairly, I think was hugely important." Bolger said he did not understand those, such as David Seymour - who had also been sworn in as deputy prime minister on Saturday - who "want to diminish the role of Māori in New Zealand". "They were here first, they were here very much before everybody else, and they have been part of our history from that time on." He said the current prime minister, Christopher Luxon, needed to tell Seymour "to shut up with his anti-Māori rhetoric" - and to thank Winston Peters for what he's doing in foreign affairs - "because I think he's doing that job well". "Winston's a very interesting political figure, there's no question about it. He's certainly left his mark on politics in New Zealand." Bolger said his Irish ancestry helped him engage emotionally and attitudinally with Māori. "I sort of instinctively knew what it was like to be treated as second-class citizens, and Māori were treated as second-class citizens. And some people still want to do that." Bolger grew up in coastal Taranaki, and said he was not taught "a single word" about the invasion of a pacifist settlement at Parihaka, but was taught about War of the Roses in England. Reflecting on his life outside of his political career, he could not say what he was most proud of - "I think it'd be foolish to try and select one over another." He began as a farmer - from helping his neighbour to milk cows at nine, to leaving Ōpunake High School at 15 to work on the family dairy farm, and owning his own near Rahotu at 27. He got married and moved to a sheep and beef farm in Te Kūiti two years later. Bolger then joined the National Party and was an MP, the leader of the opposition, and then the prime minister after National won the 1990 general election. He later became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States, was elected Chancellor of the University of Waikato, and has been the chairman of a number of state-owned enterprises and other organisations. Bolger was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993, and was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand in 1998. He also has nine children and 18 grandchildren. "They were all important and very interesting positions to have, and I enjoyed it," Bolger said. "When you get to 90, and reflecting back over my variety of positions I've had across the world, and the countries I've visited, which are without number, there's so many, that it's just been very fortunate. "I've had a wonderful life with a wonderful wife and family, and it's all been good." As for advice he would give to New Zealanders, Bolger said the main thing would be to listen to others. "Don't try and dictate to them, listen to them, see what they're saying, see what their issues are, see what their concerns are, and then you might be able to make a sensible suggestion to help their lives. "And if you approach it from that direction, you know, how can I help this person or that person, then I'm sure you'll be much more satisfied with your life, and hopefully, they will be better off."
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Two former finance ministers receive King's Birthday Honours
Former National MP Ruth Richardson. Photo: Supplied Two former finance ministers have been appointed Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit at this year's King's Birthday Honours. Ruth Richardson and Steven Joyce, both former National MPs, have been honoured for their services as Members of Parliament. Three other former MPs - Ian McKelvie, Anae Arthur Anae, and Dover Samuels - have also received Honours. Richardson was well aware that an interview about her King's Birthday Honour would include questions on her time as finance minister. The economic reforms she oversaw - and the 1991 'Mother of All Budgets' - made significant changes to social welfare and public services, the effects of which are still felt by many. Richardson started by saying in 1991 New Zealand was at huge risk, and was drowning in a sea of debt and perpetual forecast deficits. "Early and decisive course correction was imperative. I didn't flinch in my duty as minister of finance," she said. Richardson said her Budgets proved to be circuit breakers, resulting in a lift in growth and employment, a reduction in public debt, and the books going back to black. Receiving the call she would be appointed a CNZM felt like a "seal of approval" for her work, she said. "I have always worn those reforms that I championed as a badge of honour, and the restoration of New Zealand's fortunes made it worth it. So I guess this award thirty years down the track is a recognition of that work." Anticipating a question that her critics may be surprised to see her receive an Honour, she told them to look at the evidence. "Look at where we were. Look at the risk that we faced, look how vulnerable we were, and then look at the result. And the reward for those reforms was on multiple fronts. "New Zealand was given a second chance, as it were, we were out of the valley of financial death, and we put ourselves on a sound footing as a result of those reforms." Most of Richardson's Cabinet colleagues have already received Honours in the intervening years. She said it was not for her to answer as to why she had not until now. The recognition was also bittersweet, with Richardson recently experiencing a bereavement. "It's been a miserable May, so this is putting June on a good footing," she said. Steven Joyce said he was "genuinely surprised" to be appointed a CNZM. "I really see it as an acknowledgement of the team that I worked with in Parliament, and in the ministries, and also my family. They gave up a lot for this period, it was 10 very intense years, so it's as much recognition for them, I think, as it is for me," he said. Steven Joyce Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Joyce, who gained a reputation as National's 'Mr Fix-It,' served as minister for transport, economic development, communications, and tertiary education during his time in government. "There's a few things that I'm proud to have been involved with. The ultra-fast broadband, setting that up was a real high point early on. The Roads of National Significance, it's still a thrill to drive on the Waikato Expressway, and through the Waterview Tunnel. I bore my children silly reminding them that Dad had a bit to do with that," he said. "And some of the economic growth programme that I led under John [Key] and Bill [English] during that time, it was a real thrill to be able to do that. I saw it as sort of an opportunity to bring the various sort of micro-economic policies together and get them working in a cohesive way. I think we managed that, and subsequent events have shown it's not as easy as it looks." When Sir Bill English replaced Sir John Key as prime minister, Joyce stepped up as finance minister. He would only get to deliver one Budget, before leaving Parliament in 2018. His replacement from the National party list, Nicola Willis, has just delivered her second Budget. Joyce said it was a hard job, and one he did not have any FOMO over. "Every challenging time is more real, the closer you are to it. We're in the middle of it right now, but the GFC and the Canterbury earthquakes coming close together were pretty big for our government. I worked very closely with Bill through that period, so I do understand the pressures and challenges that arise, and the hundreds of things you're trying to balance." Since leaving Parliament, Joyce has continued to write columns, which he described as his "post-political therapy". He said the old Kitchen Cabinet gets together from time to time, particularly the 2008-2011 team, and hoped they would get to do so again soon. Former National MPs Ian McKelvie and Anae Arthur Anae have been made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit. McKelvie has been appointed the MNZM for services to local government, governance, and as a Member of Parliament. Ian McKelvie Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The former Manawatū mayor, who was also MP for Rangitīkei between 2011 and 2023, credited those around him for the accolade. "I think it's a reflection of a lot of people have been very good to me along the way. And I've had some amazing helpers in my life... from my MP days, my agricultural and pastoral days, right through I've had some amazing people looking after me," he said. McKelvie is currently a community advisor at the University College of Learning. He has also spent his time post-politics farming and fixing buildings. "I'm slowly finding some other things to do, because I thought I was going to do nothing but doing nothing's not an option for me. I'm finding some little jobs to do, and I keep quite busy," he said. He has also had some time to do some travelling around New Zealand. "We've got a little motorhome we pot around in, and we get around the country a bit. We've spent a bit of time in the South Island, so we've had some very nice looking at things that we wouldn't have otherwise looked at, and stayed with some friends that we would otherwise not have." He is still chair of a body corporate in Wellington and so sees his old colleagues from time to time. But he has no regrets on his decision to retire from Parliament just as National re-entered government. "I wouldn't want to be doing the work that some of them are having to do now. It looks very busy to me!" Anae Arthur Anae served two stints as a MP, from 1996 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2002, and has been appointed a MNZM for services to the Samoan community. Anae said he was surprised upon hearing the news of his honour, but was thrilled on behalf of his community. "Something like this doesn't belong to me, it belongs to them. I was just the vehicle doing a particular job." Anae Arthur Anae. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Anae suspected his work on advocating for the Citizenship Western Samoa Restoration Amendment Bill was a key factor in receiving the honour. The law change, which allows for a pathway for certain individuals whose New Zealand citizenship was removed under a 1982 Act to apply for it, passed in November last year. Anae said he had worked on getting the legislation over the line for about 27 years. "After a long battle, people saw the light of where it went." The law change was tinged with some sadness for Anae, as many of the elderly people he had marched with when protesting for recognition were no longer alive to see the outcome. Despite the King's Birthday honour, Anae said he would not stop fighting for Pacific communities, including for Pacific people to be able to travel to New Zealand without a visitor's visa. "I'm not asking here, I'm demanding the Pacific people be treated the same way. "New Zealand is our second home. This is where our families live. We've played a big role in the development of New Zealand." In regards to the honour, Anae said he had never considered receiving one. At this stage he said, he was only interested in one thing: "To fix the wrongs that have been done to the Pacific community for too long. It is time New Zealand recognises who we are. We're people who can do anything, and can prove we can do anything in this country. Don't keep treating us as third rate citizens. I won't accept it." Dover Samuels, a kaumatua from Ngāpuhi, said upon being notified he was receiving the Honour, he reflected on meeting King Charles at Waitangi. Samuels was asked by the then-Prince of Wales how he was, and responded by saying "jolly good old chap!" "I think he got a bit of a buzz out of that," Samuels laughed, adding when he got the call to tell him he would be receiving an Honour that Charles had remembered his name. Dover Samuels. Photo: Aotearoa Media Collective He admitted he initially thought he was being scammed when he first received the phone call. After the second call, he investigated by ringing Parliament, who confirmed they had been trying to talk to him. "I thought they might have been wanting to talk to Hone Harawira!" Samuels, a Labour MP from 1996 to 2008, who served a stint as Māori Affairs minister and held a number of associate minister roles, has been made a Companion of the King's Service Order for services as a Member of Parliament. He said he had to reflect on why he had been honoured. "I think that I've tried my best in Parliament to do the job on behalf of my people, and addressing the real problems." One of the fifth Labour government's Māori policy mantras was "closing the gaps," Samuels said. However, he did not think that had been achieved, and the gaps had got wider since then. Looking back at the negative statistics that continued to haunt Māori had made him want to think again, he said. "I'm convinced now, the negative statistics that have been haunting us will keep haunting us, until we recognise that the answer is in our own hands. "The answer is in the hands of your own whānau, your own matua. Yeah, that's where it must begin." Samuels also lamented the fact there was still no Treaty settlement for Ngāpuhi. He said the opportunity for a settlement was "in our own hands", and wanted Ngāpuhi to consider the "loss of opportunity from generations that are not yet born, and for our mokopuna that could have benefited from a settlement from the biggest iwi in Aotearoa." He wanted Ngāpuhi to harness its talent and ability, and said if a settlement was achieved during his lifetime, and he had contributed to it, "then I would have done my share." 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Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Four strikes and not out — the Regulatory Standards Bill
The Regulatory Standards Bill — Government Bill 155-1 under the name of the Minister for Regulation — was introduced to Parliament on May 19. It received its first reading on May 23 and has been referred to the finance and expenditure select committee. As alluded to previously in this publication (ODT 4.1.25), earlier attempts to introduce this legislation failed in 2006, 2009 and 2011. In 2021, with the support of the National Party, a Bill to this effect was introduced by the (now) minister, but did not get off the ground. It was condemned as a dangerous constitutional shift undermining public and collective rights and threatening parliamentary sovereignty. Nothing about this Bill has changed except that the National-Act New Zealand coalition agreement provides for support of the Act policy programme by National. In this regard, the situation is different from that of the failed Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, which National and New Zealand First supported only to the select committee stage, then voted it down. Why is this Bill of such concern? The reasons are the same as they were two decades ago, being: — That the proposal represents a constitutional entrenchment of neo-political principles with an accumulation of power in the hands of the minister of regulation; — Tying principles of good regulation to property rights as a fundamental of good lawmaking overlooks entirely the ancillary fundamental of good lawmaking being strengthening communities, enhancement of environmental standards and protection of vulnerable groups. The proposed primacy of free market and individual rights is false as both are reliant on law and order and inherent obligations to protect the vulnerable (persons or environment) and maintain a reasonable balance where equity and justice is accorded the same value. Existing legislative guidelines from 2021 provide that "legislation should be consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi and should reflect the fundamental values and principles of a democratic society". This Bill does neither. Current guidelines identify the principle that "everyone is subject to the law". This Bill changes that to "every person is equal before the law" which reflects the Act party's policy to eradicate equity-based programmes which seek to redress systemic inequality. Equality in this sense is a procedural right, free of class or status. It is not, and never has been, the right to be treated the same. Equating property rights with personal liberty creates dangerous territory, the focus on which will obliterate the duty to preserve the environment and address substantive inequality issues. Going down this path will open the door to compensation claims in the event of any actions impacting adversely on property rights. There are already in place substantive regulatory controls. The advice to the minister in this instance is, in essence, that the proposed legislation is unnecessary. The extent of powers placed in the hands of the minister, the proponent of the Bill, is excessive. The objective of the Bill is to encapsulate more than 20 years of neo-liberal, libertarian dogma, designed to elevate and protect the interest of property above all else. Successive parliaments have soundly rejected this legislation in the past. The prime minister must ensure that the Bill is amended to recognise all of its defects or simply decline to support it on the basis that it is not good law. Act NZ leader David Seymour would be unlikely to surrender his upcoming deputy prime ministership given the patience shown to date in getting this hobby horse across the line. — Noel O'Malley is a Balclutha lawyer and past president of the Otago District Law Society.
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Is David Hogg Democrats' Nightmare, or Savior?
David Hogg has a radical plan to revitalize the moribund Democratic brand: get rid of some of the party's oldest lawmakers. More than a few party leaders aren't pleased. Hogg is promising to spend millions of dollars to run primary campaigns against Democratic incumbents. It is an effort to boost young liberals into office who can inject the party with the sense of urgency he says it lacks in confronting President Trump's power grabs while doing more to cater to the needs of young Americans. The problem for party leaders is that Hogg is a vice chairman of the national party.
