James Bolger

First elected as New Zealand’s prime minister in 1990, James Bolger led the National Party to a second term of office in 1993, though widespread opposition to his cuts in the welfare system and other policies left him with a much reduced majority. During his second term, Bolger healed the rift with the United States caused by New Zealand’s refusal to allow nuclear warships into its waters. However, he led public condemnation of France in 1995 when, on the 10th anniversary of the sinking in Auckland harbour of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior by French agents, President Jacques Chirac announced a resumption of French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Bolger retired as prime minister of New Zealand in November 1997.

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Bolger, James Brendan; New Zealand

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