Bill English facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Sir Bill English KNZM
English in 2017
39th Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office 12 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Patsy Reddy
Deputy	Paula Bennett
Preceded by	John Key
Succeeded by	Jacinda Ardern
29th Leader of the Opposition
In office 26 October 2017 – 27 February 2018
Prime Minister	Jacinda Ardern
Deputy	Paula Bennett
Preceded by	Jacinda Ardern
Succeeded by	Simon Bridges
In office 8 October 2001 – 28 October 2003
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Deputy	Roger Sowry
Preceded by	Jenny Shipley
Succeeded by	Don Brash
9th Leader of the National Party
In office 12 December 2016 – 27 February 2018
Deputy	Paula Bennett
Preceded by	John Key
Succeeded by	Simon Bridges
In office 8 October 2001 – 28 October 2003
Deputy	Roger Sowry
Preceded by	Jenny Shipley
Succeeded by	Don Brash
17th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office 19 November 2008 – 12 December 2016
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Michael Cullen
Succeeded by	Paula Bennett
39th Minister of Finance
In office 19 November 2008 – 12 December 2016
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Michael Cullen
Succeeded by	Steven Joyce
In office 31 January 1999 – 22 June 1999
Prime Minister	Jenny Shipley
Preceded by	Bill Birch
Succeeded by	Bill Birch
Deputy Leader of the National Party
In office 27 November 2006 – 12 December 2016
Leader	John Key
Preceded by	Gerry Brownlee
Succeeded by	Paula Bennett
In office 7 February 2001 – 6 October 2001
Leader	Jenny Shipley
Preceded by	Wyatt Creech
Succeeded by	Roger Sowry
3rd Treasurer of New Zealand
In office 22 June 1999 – 10 December 1999
Prime Minister	Jenny Shipley
Preceded by	Bill Birch
Succeeded by	Michael Cullen
Constituency Member of the New Zealand Parliament for National Party List In office 20 September 2014 – 13 March 2018 Succeeded by Maureen Pugh Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha-Southland In office 12 October 1996 – 20 September 2014 Preceded by New electorate Succeeded by Todd Barclay Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wallace In office 27 October 1990 – 12 October 1996 Preceded by Derek Angus Succeeded by Electorate abolished
Personal details
Born	Simon William English (1961-12-30) 30 December 1961 (age 63) Lumsden, New Zealand
Political party	National
Spouse	Mary Scanlon
Children	6
Parents	Mervyn English Norah O'Brien
Relatives	Rachel Buchanan (niece)
Alma mater	University of Otago Victoria University
Signature

Sir Simon William English (born 30 December 1961) is a former politician from New Zealand. He served as the 39th prime minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017. Before that, he was the deputy prime minister and minister of finance for eight years under Prime Minister John Key.

Before he entered politics, English was a farmer and worked for the government. He was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1990 for the National Party. He became a government minister in 1996.

In 2001, English became the leader of the National Party. After the party lost the 2002 election, he was replaced as leader. He later became the deputy leader again in 2006. When John Key retired in 2016, English became prime minister.

His time as prime minister lasted for about ten months. After the 2017 election, Jacinda Ardern became the new prime minister. English retired from politics in 2018.

Early Life and Education

Bill English was born in Lumsden, a small town on the South Island. He grew up on a family farm in Dipton and was one of twelve children.

He went to St Thomas's School in Winton and then boarded at St. Patrick's College, Silverstream, where he was head boy and played rugby. For his higher education, he studied commerce at the University of Otago and English literature at Victoria University of Wellington.

After university, English worked on his family's farm. He then moved to Wellington to work as a policy analyst for the New Zealand Treasury. This department gives advice to the government on spending and the economy.

Starting a Career in Politics

English joined the National Party in 1980. At the 1990 election, he was elected to Parliament to represent the Wallace electorate. He and three other new National MPs were seen as future leaders of the party.

Becoming a Government Minister

In 1996, at age 34, English was made a minister in the Cabinet, the group of top government decision-makers. He became the Minister for Crown Health Enterprises. After the 1996 election, he was appointed Minister of Health.

As Health Minister, he continued the work of changing the public health system. These changes were not very popular at the time. In 1999, he was promoted to Minister of Finance, but his party lost the election later that year.

Leader of the Opposition

English in February 2005

After the National Party lost the 1999 election, English became the party's spokesperson for finance. In 2001, he was elected to be the new leader of the National Party, which made him the Leader of the Opposition.

At 39, he was one of the youngest leaders in the party's history. However, in the 2002 election, the National Party had its worst result ever. English called it "the worst day of my political life."

Because the party's support in opinion polls was still low a year later, he was replaced as leader by Don Brash in October 2003.

Return as Deputy Leader

English remained an important Member of Parliament. In 2006, when Don Brash resigned as leader, English became the deputy leader under the new leader, John Key. This created a strong leadership team for the National Party.

English interviewed at the University of Otago, October 2011

The National Party won the 2008 election. English became the Deputy Prime Minister and was also made Minister of Finance for the second time.

As Finance Minister, he had to deal with the 2008 financial crisis. His main goal was to reduce government debt. He focused on helping businesses grow and investing in infrastructure like roads and public buildings. Under his management, New Zealand's economy grew steadily.

In 2009, there was a controversy about the housing allowance he received as a minister. After a review, he paid back some of the money and stopped claiming the allowance.

Prime Minister of New Zealand (2016–2017)

Premiership of Bill English
12 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Elizabeth II
Cabinet	Fifth National Government of New Zealand
Party	New Zealand National Party
Appointer	Patsy Reddy
← John Key • Jacinda Ardern →

English with Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett in December 2016

When John Key retired in December 2016, Bill English was chosen to be the new leader of the National Party. He was sworn in as New Zealand's 39th Prime Minister on 12 December 2016.

As prime minister, English traveled to Europe to discuss trade deals with leaders like British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He announced that the 2017 general election would be held on 23 September. In the election, the National Party won the most seats, but not enough to form a government by itself. The New Zealand First party chose to form a government with the Labour Party instead. As a result, Jacinda Ardern became the next prime minister.

Life After Politics

English became the Leader of the Opposition again but announced his retirement from politics in February 2018.

Since leaving politics, English has joined the boards of several companies, including the Australian company Wesfarmers. He is also involved in reviewing the performance of government agencies. In 2023, he was asked to lead a review of Kāinga Ora, New Zealand's public housing agency.

Personal Life and Honours

English (left) at a 2011 Anzac Day service in Wellington

English is married to Dr. Mary Scanlon, a general practitioner. They met at university and have six children. He is a practising Roman Catholic.

In 2002, he participated in a celebrity boxing match called Fight For Life to raise money for a youth charity.

For his service to New Zealand, he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours. This is why he is called "Sir" Bill English.

See also

In Spanish: Bill English para niños

• List of New Zealand governments
• Politics of New Zealand