# Shadow Cabinet of Jim Bolger

* This article is part of a series aboutJim 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 :
vte :
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).
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.

## List of shadow ministers

| Portfolio | Minister | Start | End |
| Leader | Jim Bolger | 26 March 1986 | 2 November 1990 |
| Deputy Leader | George Gair | 26 March 1986 | 10 September 1987 |
| Deputy Leader | Don McKinnon | 10 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Agriculture | John Falloon | 26 March 1986 | 2 November 1990 |
| Attorney-General | Jim McLay | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Attorney-General | Paul East | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Defence | Doug Kidd | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Defence | Don McKinnon | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Education | Ruth Richardson | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Education | Lockwood Smith | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Finance | George Gair | 26 March 1986 | 11 September 1987 |
| Finance | Ruth Richardson | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Foreign Affairs | Robert Muldoon | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Foreign Affairs | Jim Bolger | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Health | Paul East | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Health | Don McKinnon | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Internal Affairs | Graeme Lee | 29 November 1984 | 2 November 1990 |
| Justice | Jim McLay | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Justice | Paul East | 11 September 1987 | 2 November 1990 |
| Maori Affairs | Winston Peters | 26 March 1986 | 2 November 1990 |
| Overseas Trade | Warren Cooper | 29 November 1984 | 2 November 1990 |
| Trade and Industry | Philip Burdon | 29 November 1984 | 2 November 1990 |
| Transport | Winston Peters | 29 November 1984 | 11 September 1987 |
| Transport | Warren Cooper | 11 September 1987 | 11 February 1990 |
| Transport | Maurice McTigue | 11 February 1990 | 2 November 1990 |
| Works | Neill Austin | 29 November 1984 | 2 June 1987 |
| Works | Tony Friedlander | 2 June 1987 | 11 September 1987 |
| Works | Ian McLean | 11 September 1987 | 11 February 1990 |
| Works | Maurice McTigue | 11 February 1990 | 2 November 1990 |

## Frontbench teams

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

### April 1986

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.
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.
| Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| 1 | Hon Jim Bolger | Leader of the Opposition |
| 2 | Hon George Gair | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance |
| 3 | Hon Bill Birch | Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Leader of the House |
| 4 | Hon Warren Cooper | Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister of Regional Development Shadow Minister of South Island Development |
| 5 | Hon Venn Young | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare |
| 6 | Hon John Falloon | Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
| 7 | Michael Cox | Shadow Minister of Customs Shadow Minister for the Audit Department |
| 8 | Rt Hon Sir Robert Muldoon | Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 9 | Hon Tony Friedlander | Shadow Minister of Energy |
| 10 | Hon Jim McLay | Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister of Justice |
| 11 | Paul East | Shadow Minister of Health |
| 12 | Ruth Richardson | Shadow Minister of Education Shadow Minister for Youth Issues |
| 13 | Philip Burdon | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry |
| 14 | Ian McLean | Shadow Minister of Forests Shadow Minister of Lands Shadow Minister of State Corporations Shadow Minister of National Development |
| 15 | Winston Peters | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Railways Shadow Minister of Civic Aviation |
| 16 | Doug Kidd | Shadow Minister of Defence Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Aquaculture |
| 17 | Bruce Townshend | Shadow Minister of Immigration Shadow Minister of State Services |
| 18 | John Banks | Shadow Minister of Tourism Shadow Minister of Publicity Shadow Minister of Sport and Recreation |
| 19 | Roger McClay | Shadow Minister of Housing |
| 20 | Simon Upton | Shadow Minister of Conservation Shadow Minister for the Environment Shadow Minister for the Arts Shadow Minister for Science and Technology |
| 21 | Norman Jones | Shadow Minister of Police Shadow Minister of War Pensions and Rehabilitation |
| 22 | Neill Austin | Shadow Minister of Works |
| 23 | Graeme Lee | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Civil Defence Shadow Minister for EQC |
| 24 | Derek Angus | Associate Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
| 25 | Doug Graham | Shadow Minister of Revenue Shadow Minister of Disarmament |
| 26 | Rob Storey | Shadow Minister of Horticulture Shadow Minister for Rural Banking |
| 27 | Roger Maxwell | Shadow Postmaster-General Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister of State Insurance |
| 28 | Jim Gerard | Shadow Minister of Broadcasting Shadow Minister of Racing |
| 29 | Denis Marshall | Associate Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
| 30 | Katherine O'Regan | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs Shadow Minister of Statistics |
| 31 | Dr Lockwood Smith | Shadow Minister of Marketing |
| 32 | Maurice McTigue | Shadow Minister of Irrigation |
| 33 | Rex Austin | Associate Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs |
| 34 | Jack Luxton | Shadow Minister of Foreign Relations Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
| 35 | Hon Merv Wellington | Shadow Minister for ACC |
| 36 | Rob Talbot | Associate Shadow Postmaster-General |
| | Don McKinnon | Senior Whip |
| | Robin Gray | Junior Whip |

### September 1987

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.
| Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| 1 | Hon Jim Bolger | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 2 | Don McKinnon | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Health Shadow Minister of Defense |
| 3 | Hon Bill Birch | Shadow Leader of the House Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of State Services Shadow Minister of Immigration Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
| 4 | Ruth Richardson | Shadow Minister of Finance |
| 5 | Paul East | Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister of Justice Shadow Minister for Constitutional Issues |
| 6 | Hon John Falloon | Shadow Minister of Agriculture Shadow Minister of Rural Affairs |
| 7 | Doug Kidd | Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Regional Development Shadow Minister of Revenue |
| 8 | Winston Peters | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs Shadow Minister of Employment |
| 9 | Philip Burdon | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Shadow Minister of Customs |
| 10 | Simon Upton | Shadow Minister for the Arts Shadow Minister for Science and Technology |
| 11 | Ian McLean | Shadow Postmaster-General Shadow Minister of State Owned Enterprises Shadow Minister of Forests & Lands Shadow Minister of Works |
| 12 | Hon Warren Cooper | Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Transport |
| 13 | John Banks | Shadow Minister of Tourism Shadow Minister of Police Shadow Minister of Sport and Recreation |
| 14 | Doug Graham | Shadow Minister of Disarmament Shadow Minister of Broadcasting |
| 15 | Dr Lockwood Smith | Shadow Minister of Education |
| 16 | Hon Venn Young | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister of Statistics |
| 17 | Roger McClay | Shadow Minister of Housing Shadow Minister for the Environment Shadow Minister of Conservation |
| 18 | Katherine O'Regan | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs Shadow Minister of Youth Affairs |
| 19 | Graeme Lee | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Civil Defence Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister for Drug Misuse |
| 20 | Hon Merv Wellington | Shadow Minister of Energy |
| | Hon George Gair | Shadow Minister of ACC |
| | Derek Angus | Shadow Minister of Forests Associate Shadow Minister of Lands |
| | Rob Storey | Associate Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Associate Shadow Minister of Transport |
| | Roger Maxwell | Associate Shadow Minister of Employment Associate Shadow Minister of State Services Associate Shadow Minister of Labour Associate Shadow Minister of Immigration |
| | Jim Gerard | Associate Shadow Minister of Social Welfare Associate Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Associate Shadow Minister of Statistics |
| | Denis Marshall | Associate Shadow Minister of Agriculture Associate Shadow Minister of Rural Affairs |
| | Robin Gray | Senior Whip |
| | Maurice McTigue | Junior Whip |

### February 1990

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.
| Rank | Shadow Minister | Portfolio |
| 1 | Hon Jim Bolger | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| 2 | Don McKinnon | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister of Health Shadow Minister of Defense |
| 3 | Hon Bill Birch | Shadow Leader of the House Shadow Minister of Labour Shadow Minister of State Services Shadow Minister of Immigration Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
| 4 | Ruth Richardson | Shadow Minister of Finance |
| 5 | Paul East | Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister of Justice |
| 6 | Hon John Falloon | Shadow Minister of Agriculture |
| 7 | Doug Kidd | Shadow Minister for State Owned Enterprises Shadow Minister of Fisheries Shadow Minister of Forests Shadow Minister of Lands |
| 8 | Philip Burdon | Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Shadow Minister of Customs Shadow Minister of Commerce |
| 9 | Simon Upton | Shadow Minister for the Arts Shadow Minister for Science and Technology |
| 10 | John Banks | Shadow Minister of Police Shadow Minister of Employment Shadow Minister of Sport and Recreation |
| 11 | Jenny Shipley | Shadow Minister of Social Welfare |
| 12 | Hon Warren Cooper | Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade Shadow Minister of Tourism |
| 13 | Winston Peters | Shadow Minister of Maori Affairs |
| 14 | Doug Graham | Shadow Minister of Revenue Shadow Minister of Disarmament Shadow Minister for Constitutional Issues |
| 15 | Dr Lockwood Smith | Shadow Minister of Education |
| 16 | Maurice McTigue | Shadow Minister of Transport Shadow Minister of Works |
| 17 | Rob Storey | Shadow Minister for the Environment |
| 18 | Katherine O'Regan | Shadow Minister of Women's Affairs Shadow Minister of Family Affairs |
| 19 | Graeme Lee | Shadow Minister of Internal Affairs Shadow Minister of Civil Defence Shadow Minister of Local Government Shadow Minister for Drug Misuse |
| 20 | Denis Marshall | Shadow Minister of Conservation Shadow Minister of Horticulture |
| 21 | Roger Maxwell | Shadow Postmaster-General Shadow Minister of Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister of Regional Development |
| 22 | Jim Gerard | Shadow Minister of Housing Shadow Minister of Broadcasting Shadow Minister of Racing |
| 23 | John Luxton | Shadow Minister of Energy |
| 24 | Maurice Williamson | Associate Shadow Minister of Science and Technology Associate Shadow Minister of Labour |
| 25 | Murray McCully | Shadow Minister for Electoral Reform |
| 26 | Rob Munro | Associate Shadow Minister of Defence |
| 27 | Robin Gray | Senior Whip |
| 28 | Roger McClay | Junior Whip Associate Shadow Minister of Education |
| 29 | Rt Hon Sir Robert Muldoon | no portfolio |
| 30 | Robert Anderson | Associate Shadow Minister of Horticulture |
| 31 | John Carter | Associate Shadow Minister of Tourism |
| 32 | Jeff Grant | Shadow Minister of Youth Affairs |
| 33 | Warren Kyd | Associate Shadow Minister of Industry and Commerce Associate Shadow Minister of Pacific Island Affairs |
| 34 | Ian McLean | Associate Shadow Minister of State Owned Enterprises |
| 35 | Hon Venn Young | Shadow Minister for Senior Citizens |
| 36 | Hon Merv Wellington | Shadow Minister of Statistics |
| 37 | Hon George Gair | Shadow Minister of ACC |
| 38 | Derek Angus | no portfolio |