My statement on the passing of Hon Michael Cullen, former NZ Deputy PM.

Rt Hon Helen Clark

Statement on the death of Michael Cullen.

20 August 2021

It is with profound sadness that I received the news that Michael Cullen passed away late last evening. My heart goes out to Michael’s wife Anne, his children, and his wider family at this sad time. Michael’s death leaves a huge gap in their lives, and in our country’s life given the very substantial contribution which Michael made to it.

I worked closely with Michael for forty years. We both entered Parliament in 1981, and had known each other from the mid-1970s as young Labour Party activists.  

Michael was an utterly dependable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. One could throw any big and knotty policy challenge at him – there were many of those, and he would find a solution for it. Our government was indebted to his courage, determination, insights, and brilliance.

Michael had a deep commitment to social democratic values. He came from humble origins which he never forgot and about which he wrote movingly in his autobiography. He was deeply committed to making New Zealand a place of which everyone could feel proud and in which each could feel that they had a personal stake.

Many have noted Michael’s big picture and enduring initiatives like the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and Kiwisaver. His legacy, though, goes far beyond those. He was the Minister of Finance who made it possible to establish Working for Families which reduced inequality in New Zealand for the first time in decades. He made the finance available for interest-free student loans, twenty hours-free early childhood education for three- and four-year-olds, more affordable primary health care for many, and the establishment of Kiwibank. He made it possible to buy back Air New Zealand and KiwiRail from private ownership when each was in dire straits, and to invest the capital to make them viable parts of New Zealand’s transport infrastructure. He made the funding available for major purchases of land for the conservation estate, such as that of St James Station’s 78,196 hectares near Hanmer Springs. The funding package which he provided to me as Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage was a huge boost to that sector. Ministers of Finance can be a help or a hindrance to big policy moves – Michael was certainly the former. He always saw the big picture.

When people remember Michael, they will remember the public face of a quick witted and clever man, capable of unleashing a sharp tongue, but fundamentally kind-hearted. Michael should also be remembered as a shy person who lived modestly and was humble about his achievements.

The greatest tribute we can pay to Michael is that he made a difference for the better. If each of us did that, our world would be an immensely better place.

May Michael rest in peace now.