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Jim Bolger, New Zealand’s 35th Prime Minister, dies, aged 90

Jim Bolger, New Zealand’s 35th Prime Minister, dies, aged 90

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died aged 90. His family said he died peacefully yesterday, surrounded by his nine children, 18 grandchildren and wife Joan. “Over the period of his illness, Jim and the family have greatly appreciated the support and companionship of so many friends near and far,” a statement from his family read. “Joan and family would also like to thank the renal team and all the wonderful staff at Wellington Regional Hospital and Wellington Free Ambulance for their care of Jim over recent months.The Bolger family advises that Jim Bolger has passed away at the age of 90. Jim died peacefully on 15 October, surrounded by his nine children, 18 grandchildren, and his wife, Joan. Throughout his illness, Jim and the family have greatly appreciated the support and companionship of so many friends near and far. Joan and family would also like to thank the renal team and all the wonderful staff at Wellington Regional Hospital and Wellington Free Ambulance for their care of Jim over recent months. Jim was much loved and will be deeply missed. He had been undergoing dialysis since kidney failure last year, and celebrated his 90th birthday in May with his wife Joan, their nine children and a large gathering of friends and neighbours. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Bolger was a “towering figure in New Zealand’s political life – a leader of conviction, a reformer of consequence, and a servant of the people whose legacy has shaped our nation in profound and lasting ways".“Jim was much loved and will be deeply missed.” He had been undergoing dialysis since kidney failure last year, and celebrated his 90th birthday in May with a large gathering of family, friends and neighbours. Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger and his wife Joan had nine children together. Photo / Norrie Montgomery Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Bolger was a “towering figure in New Zealand’s political life – a leader of conviction, a reformer of consequence, and a servant of the people whose legacy has shaped our nation in profound and lasting ways". “To those who worked alongside him, he was a principled and formidable colleague. To his political opponents, he was a worthy adversary who never allowed disagreement to become personal. “And to New Zealand, he was a leader who believed in the strength of our democracy, the promise of fairness, and the dignity of service. “On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I extend our deepest condolences to Mr Bolger’s wife Joan, his children and grandchildren, and all those who knew and loved him. “Jim Bolger served with integrity and purpose. He leaves behind a legacy that will be studied, debated, and respected for generations.” NZ First leader Winston Peters said Bolger was a “proud, proud New Zealander who served his country as Prime Minister during a difficult period of serious transition in our politics”. Peters and Bolger led New Zealand’s first MMP Government from 1996 onwards, a coalition between NZ First and National. “As the leader of Mr Bolger’s coalition partner, I can attest he was a man of his word. He did what he said he would do - and we ran our Coalition Government with integrity, focus and a fidelity to New Zealanders who had delivered a majority to our two political parties. “Mr Bolger should be remembered warmly as a New Zealander who devoted his life to our great country.” James Brendan Bolger was born in Ōpunake, Taranaki, in 1935 - the son of Irish immigrants. He left Ōpunake High School at just 15 to work on the family farm, later farming with Joan in Rahotu and Te Kūiti before entering politics. In 1990, Bolger led the National Party to a landslide victory - the largest in its history - to become the country’s 35th Prime Minister for seven years until 1997. He oversaw the first of many Treaty of Waitangi settlements, later saying his Irish ancestry had helped him to engage emotionally with Māori. During his second term in office, Bolger presided over ele...

Potential for $131 million of asset sales with Te Pūkenga de-merger, concerns raised over ‘Going for Growth’ impacts

Potential for $131 million of asset sales with Te Pūkenga de-merger, concerns raised over ‘Going for Growth’ impacts

De-merging Te Pūkenga may negatively affect the Government’s bid to boost economic growth, with asset sales on the cards, according to Treasury officials. Polytechnics are going back to a regional governance model from the start of next year following the disestablishment of the merged Te Pūkenga model. A Treasury report, from 10 June this year, states changes to both provider-based and work-based learning over the transition will be “disruptive” despite transitional mitigations in place. Officials warned learners who are most at risk - like those with low prior achievement, or located in regions with fewer education alternatives - are more likely to be impacted by the changes, with potential impacts on JobSeeker numbers. “This could have a negative impact on the Developing Talent pillar of Going for Growth, which outlines ensuring learners can access relevant training and reducing your job seeker numbers as priorities,” the document states. Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds said any decisions to potentially sell “under-utilised or un-utilised physical assets” will be up to the Polytechnic Council. “There is no Government-led programme of asset sales,” Simmonds assured. On the going for growth aspect of the advice, the minister promised the reforms will deliver real skills, jobs, and value for learners, employers and the future of New Zealand. Green Party tertiary education spokesman Francisco Hernandez told Newstalk ZB polytechs would still require ongoing support. He said significant change had caused “fatigue” in the sector which people were “sick and tired” of. Hernandez said advice showed the merger could make the financial situation the same, if not worse. “It’s just really baffling they are continuing with these reforms. “We’ve seen advice that this might actually increase the amount of people that will go onto the Jobseeker benefit.” Simmonds said while Treasury and the Tertiary Education Commission rightly identified fiscal risks, the solution would be to complete reform properly, rather than delay it. “The new regional polytechnic model, supported by Industry Skills Boards, will reduce long-term risk by ensuring that training is better aligned with employer demand, more financially sustainable, and regionally driven.” A report from the Tertiary Education Commission, addressed to Simmonds as at July last year, noted a “high financial risk, but also the destabilisation of the vocational education system” if the merger wasn’t properly planned. The document stated the establishment of independent entities would require recapitalisation “which will need to be funded by Te Pūkenga, the Crown and asset sales”. Officials pointed to several sources of funding, which included asset sales. The commission stated Te Pūkenga initially assessed about $131 million “can be realised through land and building asset sales” that are surplus to delivery needs across the former Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics network through to 2031. It said this was a high-level estimate and more detailed work would be undertaken. The commission said it would take some time to generate cash from such sales, so specific institutions may need additional funds before the process could be completed. “It does, however, provide another avenue to support recapitalisation over the medium-term.” An aide-memoire from November last year again reiterated concerns about financial viability. Officials from the commission wrote for most institutions “it is a relatively high-risk pathway back to financial viability”. On the specific concerns about finances, Simmonds said the Government acknowledged there have been, and still are in some cases, financial pressures within polytechs. She said these reflected structural issues that were “worsened” by the centralised Te Pūkenga model which is being done away with. “That’s why over the past 18 months TEC has put in financial advisors to ensure each polytechnic has a pathway to sustainability. I...