Bill English's life in retrospect

  • 13/02/2018

After another failure to win the Prime Minister's position, National Party leader Bill English announced he is stepping down. Mr English's resignation comes after rumours he lacked caucus support.

Here are some of the highlights from his life and 27-year career.

1961 - Born in the small Southland town of Dipton, where he grows up with 11 siblings on a 125-year-old farm.

1980 - Joins the National Party.

1990 - Elected to Parliament at the age of 28 representing the Wallace (now Clutha-Southland) district.

2001 - Becomes Leader of the Opposition after replacing Jenny Shipley.

2002 - Steps into the boxing ring and takes part in TV3's Fight For Life charity event, which he loses.

Bill English in the ring.
Bill English in the ring. Photo credit: Photosport

2002 - Leads National to its worst-ever general election defeat, managing to gather only 21 percent of the vote.

2003 - Gets replaced as leader of National by Don Brash, who revives National's fortunes.

Don Brash and Bill English.
Don Brash and Bill English. Photo credit: File

2008 - Becomes Deputy Prime Minister.

2009 - Nicknamed 'The Double Dipper from Dipton' after claiming $900 a week in living allowance to live in his own $1.2 million Wellington home.

2016 - Becomes Prime Minister when John Key steps down.

2017 - Despite helping National win 44.4 percent of the vote, he loses the election to Labour leader Jacinda Ardern after failing to negotiate a coalition deal with NZ First.

Jacinda Ardern and Bill English.
Jacinda Ardern and Bill English. Photo credit: File

2018 - Resigns as leader of National Party and announces he will also leave Parliament.

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