Bill English

Bill English. Simon William English, known as Bill English, is a former New Zealand politician who served as the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017. A long-serving member of the National Party, he previously held the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance under John Key, and was an earlier Leader of the Opposition. His tenure as prime minister concluded with the 2017 general election, after which he led the Opposition before retiring from Parliament.

Early life and education

Simon William English was born in 1961 in Lumsden, Southland, and was raised on a dairy farming property near Dipton. He is the fifth of twelve children born to parents with strong connections to the National Party and local politics. He received his secondary education at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, a Roman Catholic boarding school in the Hutt Valley. English subsequently attended the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, and later earned a Master of Arts in English literature from Victoria University of Wellington.

Political career

English first entered Parliament in 1990 as the MP for the Wallace electorate, winning the seat in the landslide victory of the Fourth National Government under Jim Bolger. He held various roles, including Minister of Health and Treasurer, during the 1990s. Following the defeat of the Jenny Shipley-led government, English was elected Leader of the Opposition and leader of the National Party in 2001. After a disappointing result in the 2002 election, he was replaced by Don Brash in 2003. English returned to the frontbench under Brash and later John Key, playing a key role in developing policy. Following National's victory in the 2008 election, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, roles he held until 2016.

Prime Minister of New Zealand

English became the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand on 12 December 2016 following the unexpected resignation of John Key. His premiership was marked by a focus on social investment, public service reform, and managing the economy. Key policies included the Families Package and increased investment in public health and education. He led the National Party into the 2017 general election, where it won the largest share of the vote but, after negotiations between the Labour Party and NZ First, he was unable to form a government. His term ended on 26 October 2017 when Jacinda Ardern was sworn in.

Post-premiership and later life

After the 2017 election, English served briefly as Leader of the Opposition. He announced his retirement from politics in February 2018 and formally resigned from Parliament, triggering the Botany by-election. Since leaving politics, English has taken roles in the private sector, including serving on the board of NZ Post and as a director for ASB Bank. He has also been involved with charitable organizations and works as a consultant, occasionally commenting on political and economic matters.

Personal life

English is married to Mary English, a former general practitioner, and they have six children. The family lives in the Wellington suburb of Karori. A devout Roman Catholic, his faith has been noted as an influence on his political views. He is a supporter of the Southland rugby team, the Southland Stags, and maintains a connection to his rural Southland roots. His brother, Conor English, is a former chief executive of Federated Farmers.

Category:New Zealand National Party MPs Category:Prime Ministers of New Zealand Category:1961 births Category:Living people