Latest news with #WinstonPeters
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
'I've had a wonderful life': 90 years of Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger in December 2016. Photo: RNZ 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. Parihaka Pa, circa 1900, with Mount Taranaki - taken by an unidentified photographer. Photo: Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand / Ref 1/2-056542-F, Alexander Turnbull Library, 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." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
David Seymour reflects on past decade to ACT supporters in first speech as Deputy Prime Minister
David Seymour speaking to media in Auckland. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ In his first public address since being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, ACT leader David Seymour reflected on the past decade with supporters at a party event on Sunday. The ACT leader took over the role from Winston Peters on Saturday. The speech chronicled ACT's journey from the political low point of the 2014 election to its current position in government. Seymour recalled what he described as "the wicked old days" when ACT's support hovered near 1 percent and survival seemed uncertain. "Most of the time, it seemed bloody impossible," he said, referring to financial struggles, internal turmoil, and public scepticism that at one point left the party with just $7000 in its account. He thanked longstanding supporters, including volunteers, donors, and former party leaders, acknowledging many by name. Seymour made particular note of John Banks' role in stabilising the party during a turbulent period and the personal support of figures like the late Lindsay Ferguson and donor Dame Jenny Gibbs. His also used his first speech to take a swipe at the Opposition, and said his party is Labour's worst nightmare. Seymour likened early political hardships to the experience of being a long-shot contestant on Dancing with the Stars. He highlighted ACT's role in the current coalition government and the work they've done by MPs on policies covering firearms law, property rights, health and safety reform, and education. Seymour closed his remarks by reaffirming ACT's commitment to its founding principles, quoting Edmund Hillary saying "This today is only base camp". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
David Seymour speaks to ACT supporters in first speech since becoming Deputy Prime Minister
David Seymour speaking to media in Auckland. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ David Seymour has addressed supporters at an ACT Party event celebrating his swearing-in as Deputy Prime Minister. The ACT leader took over the role from Winston Peters on Saturday. It was his first speech since taking the role. In his first act as deputy prime minister, Seymour defended cabinet minister Chris Bishop's behaviour at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Act leader David Seymour to make celebratory speech as New Deputy Prime Minister
David Seymour has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, succeeding Winston Peters. Seymour's appointment marks a milestone for the Act Party, which now has 11 MPs. He is set to outline his vision for the country at a celebratory brunch in Auckland this morning. New Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour is holding a brunch with supporters and party members this morning to celebrate his fresh appointment. Seymour, leader of the Act Party and a Cabinet Minister, is expected to outline his vision for the country for his 18-month tenure as deputy Prime Minster and beyond. The address, taking place in Auckland, will be live-streamed at the top of this article from 10.45am. Seymour drove himself to the venue, Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, on Auckland's Tamaki Drive, and pro-Palestine protesters chased his car as he pulled in. Seymour was sworn in as deputy Prime Minister yesterday at Government House in Auckland, taking over from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. The Act leader was joined by family members, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro. Kiro congratulated Seymour, and Luxon called it a 'great privilege'. The Act Party called it a 'historic milestone'. 'Not only for Seymour personally, but for the Act Party, which has grown from a caucus of one in 2014 to 11 MPs and seats at the Cabinet table in 2025.' In a speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Seymour said he would be judged he would be judged by how much was delivered for the people of New Zealand – 'all of the people, those who support Act and those who don't.' 'If I proved anything, it's that anyone can dance, not always that well, but well enough to earn people's respect and give a lot of entertainment along the way,' he said, in reference to his stint on Dancing With The Stars. Seymour is the 21st person to hold New Zealand's deputy prime ministership. His predecessor, NZ First leader Winston Peters, has held the role three times. Several deputies have gone on to become Prime Minister, including Keith Holyoake, Jack Marshall, Robert Muldoon, Geoffrey Palmer, Helen Clark and Bill English. On the deputy prime ministership, Seymour told the Front Page this week, 'It's one of those things you probably didn't think would happen in your life, but here we are'. 'I think it's good for New Zealand. It shows if you're a bit quirky but if your heart's in the right place and you put in the work, as Crowded House say, 'You can get somewhere'.' Seymour was first elected to Parliament as MP for Epsom in 2014. The Act Party's sole MP would become its leader. Just over a decade later, he sits beside 10 others after leading the party to its best result ever in the 2023 general election. His latest tenure in the Beehive hasn't come without controversy. His Treaty Principles Bill, which Act heralded as a 'promise of equal rights for all New Zealanders' was fiercely criticised for its perceived impact on Māori rights. It was one of the drivers behind a massive hīkoi to Parliament in November, where tens of thousands of people rallied in protest. It received an unprecedented amount of public submissions, more than 300,000. Despite it being dead in the water at the start (coalition partners had always intended to vote it down), Seymour said he was not at all surprised it created so much backlash. This week, Nicola Willis claimed ignorance about the importance of today to the Government on Heather du Plessis-Allan's Newstalk ZB Drive show. Du Plessis-Allan told her it was the day Seymour became Deputy PM. 'You can imagine it is not marked as an enormous love heart on my calendar,' Willis said, claiming not much would change. Du Plessis-Allan replied: 'I want to say 'stop pretending' but I know you have to pretend because you have to work with the guy'. Seymour is the Minister for Regulation and the Associate Minister of Health, Finance, Education, and Justice. Before politics, he worked as an electrical engineer in New Zealand and for private sector think tanks in Canada.
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Watch live: David Seymour speaks to ACT supporters after becoming Deputy Prime Minister
Seymour is due to speak about 10.45am David Seymour will address supporters at an ACT Party event celebrating his swearing-in as Deputy Prime Minister. The ACT leader took over the role from Winston Peters on Saturday. In his first act as deputy prime minister, Seymour defended cabinet minister Chris Bishop's behaviour at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
