Shadow Cabinet of Jim Bolger

This article is part of a series about Jim Bolger
Early life MP for King Country Electoral history Leader of the National Party 1986 leadership election Leader of the Opposition Shadow Cabinet Prime Minister Fourth National Government Ruthanasia Mother of all Budgets Sealord deal 1993 MMP referendum Tainui settlement Cave Creek disaster General elections 1990 1993 1996
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New Zealand political leader Jim Bolger assembled a "shadow cabinet" within the National Party caucus after his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1986. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1986–90).^[1]

As the National Party formed the largest party not in government at the time, the frontbench team was as a result the Official Opposition within the New Zealand House of Representatives.

The lists below contains an outlay of Bolger's shadow ministers and their respective roles.

Bolger announced his first shadow cabinet in April 1986 just over a week after he replaced Jim McLay as party leader. He made significant changes, particularly a rapprochement with Sir Robert Muldoon who accepted the Foreign Affairs portfolio.^[2][3]

A minor reshuffle occurred in June 1987, shortly before the end of the parliament, caused by the death of Bruce Townshend and retirements of Norman Jones and Neill Austin. The state services portfolio was given to Bill Birch, immigration to Venn Young, works to Tony Friedlander and Don McKinnon given police, war pensions, and rehabilitation. Jones and Austin remained associate spokesmen until the election.^[4]

Bolger reshuffled his shadow cabinet on 11 September 1987 following National's defeat at the 1987 general election. The first twenty members are given rankings with an extended group of junior members who are unranked.^[5]

Bolger announced a major reshuffle on 11 February 1990 ahead of the general election later that year and to reflect the MPs who were intending to retire at the election.^[6]

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
• Who's Who in the New Zealand Parliament 1987. Wellington: Parliamentary Service. 1987.