Bolger, Jim (1935– )

New Zealand National Party centre-right politician, prime minister 1990–97. His government improved relations with the USA, which had deteriorated sharply when the preceding Labour governments had banned nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed ships from entering New Zealand's harbours. It also oversaw an upturn in the economy. However the October 1996 general election, held for the first time under a mixed-member system of proportional representation, was inconclusive and Bolger was forced to form a coalition government, with the New Zealand First Party leader, Winston Peters, as his deputy. In November 1997 he resigned and was replaced as prime minister by his transport minister, Jenny Shipley, who had led a right-wing revolt against his leadership. He remained in Shipley's government until April 1998, when he became ambassador to Washington (until 2001).

Born in Opunake, on North Island, a successful farmer, Bolger joined the conservative National Party in the 1960s and was elected to parliament in 1972, representing King Country. He held a variety of cabinet posts under Robert Muldoon's leadership 1977–84, including fisheries, labour, and immigration, and was an effective, if uncharismatic, leader of the opposition from March 1986, taking the National Party to a landslide record electoral victory over the Labour Party, led by Michael Moore, in October 1990.

The failure in his first term to honour election pledges, particularly in the welfare area, where there were cuts in provision, meant that National Party support slipped in the November 1993 general election and the government was only re-elected with a majority of one.