Waikato Mourns Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger

“Ko te ua i te rangi, ko te toomairangi i ngaku kamo…”
Kaniawhea ana te whatu manawa
Matakerekere ana te hirikapo i te rironga o teenei taonga matahiiapo
E te manu taupunga, e te manu taaiko
Naau te kereeme o Waikato-Tainui i whakatutuki i ngaa tau kua hori
Naa te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu i tauawhi
Kia eke kairangi nei te tatuunga raupatu hei oranga moo te iwi
E te Pirimia o mua moe mai raa i te aaio – Paimaarire

Waikato this morning mourns the passing of former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jim Bolger ONZ PC.
Waikato-Tainui Executive Chair Tukoroirangi Morgan said Jim Bolger leaves a legacy in the Treaty settlement space that will remain unsurpassed.
“Jim modernised the whole process of reconciliation in an effort to bring Aotearoa-New Zealand closer together to reflect a more contemporary reality of our nation, said Tuku.
“He was the ultimate connector and allowed Sir Douglas Graham to begin the implementation of the process which led to the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu settlement in 1995.
“It was the first settlement of the modern era and we will forever be grateful that it was result of his vision to build nationhood by recognising our history and the effects of confiscation on our people.
“He was a pragmatist and respected the tenacity of our chief negotiator the late Sir Robert Mahuta to reach agreement on our settlement mechanisms. He also maintained a warm relationship with our late queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu as the years went by.
Jim Bolger was a formidable leader entering Parliament in 1972 representing King Country and while on opposite sides of the political spectrum he became a close friend of the late Koro Wetere who was Labour’s Western Maori MP from 1969-1996.
“We will mourn his passing and remember his legacy with deep gratitude and affection,” says Tuku.