The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN) expresses deep sorrow on the passing of our senior network member from New Zealand, James Brendan (Jim) Bolger, on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, at the age of 90.

Jim Bolger served as the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997 and was a Member of Parliament for the National Party from 1972 to 1998. In 1998, he was appointed as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, a role which he held until 2002. Bolger was also the former chairman of New Zealand’s Kiwibank and former Chancellor of the University of Waikato. He was a pre-eminent statesman whose legacy has shaped New Zealand’s domestic and foreign policy in historic ways.

As leader of the Opposition, Bolger steered the National Party to change its stance and support New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy as instituted by the Labour government, led by David Lange. This support helped codify New Zealand’s commitment to nuclear disarmament in 1987 and the prohibition on nuclear-armed or powered vessels entering New Zealand’s territorial waters. As the Prime Minister of New Zealand, his government also strongly condemned the resumption of French nuclear testing on the Moruroa atoll in French Polynesia. Bolger recognised the public mood and the long-term benefits that the anti-nuclear policy provided New Zealand, and continued to strongly support the policy throughout his premiership from 1990 to 1997 and thereafter in public life.

APLN honours the life and legacy of Jim Bolger and passes our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this time.