# Jim Bolger

_Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/jim-bolger
Last updated: 2026-11-04

> James Brendan Bolger was a New Zealand politician of the National Party who was the 35th prime minister of New Zealand, serving from 1990 to 1997.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 31 May 1935 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Ōpunake ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P19))
- **Died:** 15 October 2025 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wellington ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P20))
- **Citizenship:** New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat; farmer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P106))
- **Political party:** New Zealand National Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P102))
- **Education:** Opunake High School ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P69))
- **Spouse:** Joan Bolger ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P26))
- **Positions held:** ambassador of New Zealand to the United States (1998–2002); Prime Minister of New Zealand (2 November 1990 – 8 December 1997); Leader of the Opposition (26 March 1986 – 2 November 1990); Minister of Immigration (13 December 1978 – 12 February 1981); Minister of Fisheries (8 March 1977 – 13 December 1978); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (25 November 1972 – 9 April 1998) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P39))
- **Awards:** Order of New Zealand; New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993; New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal; Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal; Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors; honorary doctor of Massey University; honorary doctor of the University of Waikato ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785#P166))

## Questions

**When was Jim Bolger born?**  
Jim Bolger was born on 31 May 1935 in Ōpunake.

**What positions has Jim Bolger held?**  
Positions held by Jim Bolger include: ambassador of New Zealand to the United States (1998–2002); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1990–1997); Leader of the Opposition (1986–1990); Minister of Immigration (1978–1981); Minister of Fisheries (1977–1978).

**Where did Jim Bolger study?**  
Jim Bolger was educated at Opunake High School.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Jim Bolger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bolger) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q139785](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139785) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Jim Bolger at press conference cropped.jpg by Daniel Van Kessel, cropped by uploader (CC BY-SA 3.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jim_Bolger_at_press_conference_cropped.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Jim Bolger, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Jim Bolger at press conference cropped.jpg — Daniel Van Kessel, cropped by uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0.

## Cite this page

"Jim Bolger". DigiNepal. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/jim-bolger. Retrieved 6 November 2026.