"Former New Zealand prime minister Jim Bolger, whose political legacy was defined by his deep commitment to reconciliation with Maori as well as his brutal cuts to welfare and deregulation of the labour market, has died aged 90. Bolger died peacefully surrounded by his wife, Joan, nine children and 18 grandchildren, his family said in a statement on Wednesday. Bolger suffered kidney failure last year and had been undergoing dialysis."
"During his premiership, he oversaw the infamous 1991 mother of all budgets, delivered by his finance minister, Ruth Richardson, which severely cut spending on welfare and health. The budget was so unpopular it nearly cost his government the next election. Bolger pursued privatisation and oversaw the deregulation of the labour market that resulted in major declines in union membership."
"Labour's leader, Chris Hipkins, said Bolger was humble, dedicated [and] passionate, and pointed to his ability later in life to acknowledge growing inequality. He could see that the concentration of wealth around the world was unsustainable, that the growing marginalisation of large segments of our society was leading to us becoming more divided and that we could not continue to stand for that."
Jim Bolger served as New Zealand prime minister from 1990 to 1997 and led the National party after entering parliament in 1972. He championed reconciliation with Māori while implementing austerity through the 1991 "mother of all budgets", cutting welfare and health spending and pursuing privatisation. He deregulated the labour market, contributing to large declines in union membership. He retired from politics in 1998 and served as ambassador to the United States from 1998 to 2002. He died aged 90 after suffering kidney failure and undergoing dialysis, surrounded by family. Politicians praised his principles, determination and later acknowledgement of rising inequality.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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