View source for Bill English

{{Short description|Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2016 to 2017}}
{{Other people||William English (disambiguation){{!}}William English}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]<br/>[[#Honours|Leulua'iali'iotumua]]
| name                = Sir Bill English
| image               = Bill English 2017 (cropped).jpg
| alt                 = 
| caption             = English in 2017
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KNZM|size=100%}}
| office              = 39th [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]]
| monarch             = [[Elizabeth II]]
| 1blankname          = {{nowrap|Governor-General}}<!-- Done to prevent line break. -->
| 1namedata           = [[Patsy Reddy]]
| deputy1             = [[Paula Bennett]]<!-- Numbering done to elevate GG above DPM. -->
| term_start          = 12 December 2016
| term_end            = 26 October 2017
| predecessor1        = [[John Key]]
| successor1          = [[Jacinda Ardern]]
| office2             = 29th [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| primeminister2      = Jacinda Ardern
| deputy2             = Paula Bennett
| term_start2         = 26 October 2017
| term_end2           = 27 February 2018
| predecessor2        = Jacinda Ardern
| successor2          = [[Simon Bridges]]
| primeminister3      = [[Helen Clark]]
| deputy3             = [[Roger Sowry]]
| term_start3         = 8 October 2001
| term_end3           = 28 October 2003
| predecessor3        = [[Jenny Shipley]]
| successor3          = [[Don Brash]]
| office4             = 9th [[Leader of the New Zealand National Party|Leader of the National Party]]
| deputy4             = Paula Bennett
| term_start4         = 12 December 2016
| term_end4           = 27 February 2018
| predecessor4        = John Key
| successor4          = Simon Bridges
| deputy5             = Roger Sowry
| term_start5         = 8 October 2001
| term_end5           = 28 October 2003
| predecessor5        = Jenny Shipley
| successor5          = Don Brash
| office6             = 17th [[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand]]
| primeminister6      = John Key
| term_start6         = 19 November 2008
| term_end6           = 12 December 2016
| predecessor6        = [[Michael Cullen (politician)|Michael Cullen]]
| successor6          = Paula Bennett
| office7             = 39th [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Minister of Finance]]
| primeminister7      = [[John Key]]
| term_start7         = 19 November 2008
| term_end7           = 12 December 2016
| predecessor7        = Michael Cullen
| successor7          = [[Steven Joyce]]
| primeminister8      = Jenny Shipley
| term_start8         = 31 January 1999
| term_end8           = 22 June 1999
| predecessor8        = [[Bill Birch]]
| successor8          = Bill Birch
| office9             = Deputy Leader of the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]]
| leader9             = John Key
| term_start9         = 27 November 2006
| term_end9           = 12 December 2016
| predecessor9        = [[Gerry Brownlee]]
| successor9          = Paula Bennett
| leader10            = Jenny Shipley
| term_start10        = 7 February 2001
| term_end10          = 6 October 2001
| predecessor10       = [[Wyatt Creech]]
| successor10         = Roger Sowry
| office11            = 3rd [[New Zealand Treasury|Treasurer of New Zealand]]
| primeminister11     = Jenny Shipley
| term_start11        = 22 June 1999
| term_end11          = 10 December 1999
| predecessor11       = Bill Birch
| successor11         = Michael Cullen{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Constituency|titlestyle=background-color:#eee}}
| constituency_MP12   = National Party [[list MP|List]]
| parliament12        = New Zealand
| term_start12        = 20 September 2014
| term_end12          = 13 March 2018
| successor12         = [[Maureen Pugh]]
| constituency_MP13   = [[Clutha-Southland]]
| parliament13        = New Zealand
| term_start13        = 12 October 1996
| term_end13          = 20 September 2014
| predecessor13       = ''New electorate''
| successor13         = [[Todd Barclay]]
| constituency_MP14   = [[Wallace (New Zealand electorate)|Wallace]]
| parliament14        = New Zealand
| term_start14        = 27 October 1990
| term_end14          = 12 October 1996
| predecessor14       = [[Derek Angus]]
| successor14         = ''Electorate abolished''{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| birth_name          = Simon William English
| birth_date          = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|df=y|1961|12|30}}}}
| birth_place         = [[Lumsden, New Zealand|Lumsden]], New Zealand
| party               = [[New Zealand National Party|National]]
| spouse              = Mary Scanlon
| children            = 6
| parents             = Mervyn English<br />Norah O'Brien
| relations           = [[Rachel Buchanan]] (niece)
| alma_mater          = [[University of Otago]]<br />[[Victoria University of Wellington|Victoria University]]
| signature           = Bill English Signature.svg
| website             = {{URL|billenglish.co.nz|Official website}}
}}
'''Sir Simon William English''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KNZM}} (born 30 December 1961) is a New Zealand former politician who served as the 39th [[prime minister of New Zealand]] from 2016 to 2017 and [[Leader of the New Zealand National Party|leader]] of the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] from 2001 to 2003 and 2016 to 2018. He had previously served as the 17th [[deputy prime minister of New Zealand]] and [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|minister of finance]] from 2008 to 2016 under [[John Key]] and the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]].

A farmer and public servant before entering politics, English was elected to the [[New Zealand Parliament]] in {{NZ election link year|1990}} as the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party's]] candidate in the [[Wallace (New Zealand electorate)|Wallace electorate]]. He was elevated to [[cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet]] in 1996 and in 1999 was made [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|minister of finance]], although he served for less than a year due to his party's loss at the [[1999 New Zealand general election|1999 general election]]. In October 2001, English replaced [[Jenny Shipley]] as the [[Leader of the New Zealand National Party|leader of the National Party]] (and consequently as Leader of the Opposition). He led the party to its worst defeat at the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 general election]], and as a consequence, in October 2003 he was replaced as leader by [[Don Brash]].

In November 2006, after Brash's resignation, English became deputy leader under [[John Key]]. After National's victory at the [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008 general election]], he became [[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand|deputy prime minister]] and was also made minister of finance for the second time. Under English's direction New Zealand's economy maintained steady growth during National's three terms of government. He became a [[List MP|list-only MP]] after stepping down as an electorate MP at the [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014 general election]].

John Key resigned as leader of the National Party and prime minister in December 2016. English won [[2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election|the resulting leadership election]] unopposed and was sworn in as prime minister on 12 December 2016. His tenure was only ten months, and included a three-month election campaign. In the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]], National won the largest number of seats but fell short of a majority. The parties holding the [[Balance of power (parliament)|balance of power]] declined to support the existing government, and English was subsequently replaced as prime minister by [[Jacinda Ardern]], [[Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]]. English initially continued on as Leader of the Opposition, but resigned as leader of the National Party on 27 February 2018 and left parliament two weeks later.<ref name="resignation">{{cite news|title=Bill English announces retirement from Parliament|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1802/S00098/bill-english-announces-retirement-from-parliament.htm|access-date=13 February 2018|work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop News]]|date=13 February 2018}}</ref>

==Early life==
English was born on 30 December 1961 at Lumsden Maternity Centre in [[Lumsden, New Zealand|Lumsden]], a small town in the South Island of New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crockford |first=Victoria |date=2017-05-25 |title=When love aint enough: Are we about to lose another rural maternity centre? |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/25-05-2017/when-love-aint-enough-are-we-about-to-lose-another-rural-maternity-centre |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=[[The Spinoff]] |language=en}}</ref> He is the eleventh of twelve children of Mervyn English and Norah (née O'Brien) English. His parents purchased "Rosedale", a mixed sheep and cropping farm in [[Dipton, New Zealand|Dipton, Southland]] from Mervyn's uncle, Vincent English, a bachelor, in 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10517639|title=Being English – National – NZ Herald News|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/carroll-du-chateau/news/article.cfm?a_id=69&objectid=232498|title=The English Doctor – Carroll du Chateau|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174256/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/carroll-du-chateau/news/article.cfm?a_id=69&objectid=232498|url-status=dead}}</ref> English was born in the maternity unit at Lumsden.<ref>{{cite book|last=Temple|first=Philip|title=Temple's Guide to the 44th New Zealand Parliament|year=1994|publisher=McIndoe Publishers|location=Dunedin|isbn=0-86868-159-8|page=62}}</ref>

English attended St Thomas's School in [[Winton, New Zealand|Winton]], then boarded at [[St. Patrick's College, Silverstream|St. Patrick's College]] in [[Upper Hutt]], where he became [[head boy]]. He played in the first XV of the school's [[Rugby union|rugby]] team. English went on to study commerce at the [[University of Otago]], where he was a resident at [[Selwyn College, Otago|Selwyn College]], and then completed an honours degree in English literature at [[Victoria University of Wellington]].<ref name="herbert">Patricia Herbert, "A country boy who's set to lead", ''The New Zealand Herald'', 11 August 1997; retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref>

After finishing his studies, English returned to Dipton and farmed for a few years.<ref name="herbert"/> From 1987 to 1989, he worked in [[Wellington]] as a policy analyst for the [[New Zealand Treasury]], at a time when the [[free market]] policies favoured by [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]'s finance minister [[Roger Douglas]] (known collectively as "[[Rogernomics]]") were being implemented.<ref name="rae">{{cite news |first=Marion |last=Rae |title=NZ's newly-minted Finance Minister takes office |agency= [[Reuters]] |date=3 February 1999 |via=[[Factiva]]}}</ref>

English joined the National Party in 1980, while at Victoria University. He served for a period as chairman of the Southland branch of the [[New Zealand Young Nationals|Young Nationals]], and became a member of the [[Wallace (New Zealand electorate)|Wallace]] electorate committee. After moving to Wellington, he served for periods on the [[Island Bay (New Zealand electorate)|Island Bay]] and [[Miramar (New Zealand electorate)|Miramar]] electorate committees, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joanne |last=Black |title='Dominatrix act' the last straw for Nat plotters |work=The Evening Post |date=9 October 2001 |via=[[Factiva]]}}</ref>

==Fourth National Government (1990–1999)==
{{See also|Fourth National Government of New Zealand}}
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{{End}}
At the [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990 general election]], English stood as the National candidate in Wallace, the former electorate of National's first full-time leader, [[Adam Hamilton]]. The incumbent, [[Derek Angus]], was retiring. English was elected with a large majority amid that year's National landslide. He would hold this seat, renamed [[Clutha-Southland]] in 1996, until 2014. He and three other newly elected National MPs ([[Tony Ryall]], [[Nick Smith (New Zealand politician)|Nick Smith]], and [[Roger Sowry]]) were soon identified as rising stars in New Zealand politics, and at various points were dubbed the "brat pack", the "gang of four", and the "young Turks".{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} In his first term in parliament, English chaired a [[select committee (parliamentary system)|select committee]] into social services. He was made a [[Parliamentary secretary|parliamentary under-secretary]] in 1993, serving under the Minister of Health.<ref name="herbert"/><ref>Helen Bain, "Plain English preferred", ''The Dominion'', 2 February 1999. Retrieved From [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref>

===First period in cabinet (1996–1999)===
In early 1996, English was elevated to [[Cabinet of New Zealand|cabinet]] by Prime Minister [[Jim Bolger]], becoming the Minister for Crown Health Enterprises and Associate [[Minister of Education (New Zealand)|Minister of Education]] (to [[Wyatt Creech]]). He was 34 at the time, becoming the cabinet's youngest member.<ref>Bernard Orsman, "Rapid rise for English", ''The New Zealand Herald'', 1 March 1996. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref> After the [[1996 New Zealand general election|1996 general election]], the National Party was forced into a coalition with [[New Zealand First]] to retain government. In the resulting cabinet reshuffle, English emerged as [[Minister of Health (New Zealand)|Minister of Health]]. However, as a condition of the coalition agreement, NZ First's [[Neil Kirton]] (a first-term MP) was made Associate Minister of Health, effectively becoming English's deputy. This arrangement was described in the press as a "[[shotgun marriage]]", and there were frequent differences of opinion between the two ministers.<ref>Victoria Main, "All's fair in love and health", ''[[The Dominion (Wellington)|The Dominion]]'', 20 May 1997. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref><ref>Brent Edwards, "Villain or hero, he won't give ground", ''[[The Evening Post (Wellington)|The Evening Post]]'', 23 July 1997. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref> After their relationship became unworkable, Kirton was sacked from the role in August 1997, with the agreement of NZ First leader [[Winston Peters]].<ref>Michael Laws, "The staredown before the Kirton sacking", ''The Evening Post'', 12 August 1997. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref>

As Minister of Health, English was responsible for continuing the reforms to the public health system that National had begun after the [[1990 New Zealand general election|1990 general election]]. The reforms were unpopular, and health was perceived as one of the government's weaknesses, with the health portfolio consequently being viewed as a challenge.<ref name="cannan">Dave Cannan, "English confident of health role", ''Otago Daily Times'', 6 November 1997. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref> English believed that the unpopularity of the reforms was in part due to a failure in messaging, and encouraged his National colleagues to avoid bureaucratic and money-focused language (such as references to "balance sheets" and "user charges") and instead talk about the improvements to services the government's reforms would bring.<ref>"Mr English seeks to cure health reforms", ''The New Zealand Herald'', 20 April 1996. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref> He also rejected the idea that public hospitals could be run as commercial enterprises, a view which some of his colleagues had previously promoted.<ref>Ruth Laugesen, "English making his mark as reformer Shipley's apprentice", ''The Dominion'', 17 June 1996; retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref>

By early 1997, as dissatisfaction with Bolger's leadership began to grow, English was being touted as a potential successor, along with [[Jenny Shipley]] and [[Doug Graham]]. His age (35) was viewed as the main impediment to a successful leadership run.<ref>Chris Trotter, "Who can save National from Bolger's liaison dangereuse?", ''Independent Business Weekly'', 23 May 1997. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref> National's leadership troubles were resolved in December 1997, when Bolger resigned and Shipley was elected to the leadership unopposed. English had been a supporter of Bolger as leader, but Shipley reappointed him Minister of Health in her new cabinet.<ref name="cannan"/>

English was promoted to [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Minister of Finance]] in a reshuffle in January 1999, a position which was at the time subordinate to the [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)#History|Treasurer]], [[Bill Birch]]. After a few months, the pair switched positions as part of Birch's transition to retirement, with English assuming the senior portfolio. In early interviews, he emphasised his wish to be seen as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, and said that the initiatives of some of his predecessors ([[Roger Douglas]]'s "[[Rogernomics]]" and [[Ruth Richardson]]'s "[[Ruthanasia]]") had focused on "fruitless, theoretical debates" when "people just want to see problems solved".<ref name="rae"/><ref>Guyon Espiner, "Shipley's new men at the top", 3 February 1999; retrieved from [[Factiva]], 12 December 2016.</ref>

==Opposition (1999–2008)==
[[File:Bill English.jpg|thumb|right|English in February 2005]]
After the National Party lost the [[1999 New Zealand general election|1999 election]] to [[Helen Clark]]'s Labour Party, English continued on in the [[shadow cabinet]] as National's spokesperson for finance. He was elected deputy leader of the party in February 2001, following the resignation of [[Wyatt Creech]], with [[Gerry Brownlee]] being his unsuccessful opponent.<ref>Ryan Keen, "English scores deputy leader", ''The Southland Times'', 8 February 2001; retrieved from [[Factiva]], 13 December 2016.</ref>

===Leader of the Opposition===
In October 2001, after months of speculation, [[Jenny Shipley]] resigned as leader of the National Party after being told she no longer had the support of the party caucus. English [[2001 New Zealand National Party leadership election|was elected]] as her replacement unopposed (with [[Roger Sowry]] as his deputy), and consequently became [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]].<ref>Grant Fleming, "Nat MP caucus claps in English", ''The Evening Post'', 9 October 2001. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 13 October 2001.</ref> However, he did not openly organise against Shipley, and according to ''[[The Southland Times]]'' "there was almost an element of 'aw, shucks, I'll do it then' about Mr English's ascension".<ref>"Bill English", ''The Southland Times'', 10 October 2001; retrieved from [[Factiva]], 13 December 2016.</ref>

Aged 39 when he was elected, English became the second-youngest leader in the National Party's history, after [[Jim McLay]] (who was 38 when elected in 1984). He also became only the third Southlander to lead a major New Zealand political party, after [[Joseph Ward]] and [[Adam Hamilton]].<ref>Graeme Hunt, "Death in the afternoon – how the might fall", ''National Business Review'', 12 October 2001. Retrieved from [[Factiva]], 13 December 2016.</ref> However, English failed to improve the party's performance. In the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]], National suffered its worst electoral defeat ever, gaining barely more than twenty percent of the vote. English described it as "the worst day of my political life". Both party insiders and the general public were split as to how much to blame him for the loss, but most of the party believed that English would be able to rebuild National's support.<ref>Audrey Young, [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/election-2002/news/article.cfm?c_id=774&objectid=2197717 "Is this the future National deserved?"], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 30 July 2002. Retrieved 14 December 2016.</ref>

By late 2003, however, National's performance in opinion polls remained poor. The party had briefly increased its popularity in the year following the election, but by October its support had fallen to levels only slightly better than what it achieved in the last ballot. English also appeared in a boxing match for a charity against entertainer [[Ted Clarke]]. This did not boost his polling or that of the National party either, with suggestions that it devalued his image as a serious politician. [[Don Brash]], former governor of the [[Reserve Bank of New Zealand|Reserve Bank]] and a relative newcomer to politics, began to build up support to replace English. On 28 October, Brash gained sufficient backing in Caucus to defeat English in [[2003 New Zealand National Party leadership election|a leadership contest]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3531139|title=Don Brash is the new leader of the National Party|date=28 October 2003|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=7 November 2009}}</ref>

===Shadow cabinet roles and deputy leader===
On 2 November 2003, when Brash changed responsibilities for certain MPs, English became National's spokesman for education, ranked at fifth place in the party's parliamentary hierarchy. He remained in parliament after the [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 election]]. In his new shadow education portfolio, English performed strongly, and remained a party favourite despite his election defeat as leader in 2002, eventually being returned to the finance portfolio in August 2004 as deputy spokesman (while still retaining responsibility for education).<ref>[https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/document/51MP321/english-bill Rt Hon Bill English], New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 14 December 2016.</ref>

In November 2006, Brash resigned as leader. English was considered as a potential replacement leader (running against [[John Key]]) or deputy leader (against incumbent [[Gerry Brownlee]]) in the ensuing [[2006 New Zealand National Party leadership election|leadership election]]. However, a contest was avoided when the MPs agreed a Key/English [[Ticket (election)|ticket]] would run unopposed in a display of party unity.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 February 2018 |title=National leadership races of days gone by |publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101801950/national-leadership-races-of-days-gone-by |access-date=27 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> English took over the deputy leadership and the finance portfolio in the [[Shadow Cabinet of John Key|Key shadow cabinet]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10412659|title=English back from the cold|date=27 September 2006|access-date=29 September 2009|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|last=Tait|first=Maggie}}</ref>

==Fifth National Government (2008–2017)==
{{See also|Fifth National Government of New Zealand}}

===Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (2008–2016)===
[[File:Bill English Vote Chat.jpg|thumb|English interviewed as a part of the Vote Chat forum at the [[University of Otago]], October 2011]]
At the [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008 election]], English was re-elected by his electorate, winning by a margin of about 15,500 votes.<ref name="election_results_2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-6.html|title=Election Results 2008: Official Count Results – Clutha-Southland|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522134836/http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-6.html|archive-date=22 May 2010}}</ref> He became [[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand]] and [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Minister of Finance]]<ref name="Appt2008">"Appointment of Ministers" (21 November 2008) 179 [https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2008-vr8841 ''New Zealand Gazette'' (pg. 4634)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217223919/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2008-vr8841 |date=17 February 2017 }}</ref> in the fifth National Government, being sworn into office on 19 November 2008 and continued to serve in those roles until becoming [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] on 12 December 2016. He was also made [[Minister of Infrastructure (New Zealand)|Minister of Infrastructure]] in National's first term of government<ref name="Appt2008" /><ref>"Resignation of Ministers" (14 December 2011) 193 [https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-vr8685 ''New Zealand Gazette''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224212836/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-vr8685|date=24 February 2017}}, govt.nz. Retrieved 15 December 2016.</ref> and Minister responsible for [[Housing New Zealand Corporation]] and minister responsible for the [[2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums|New Zealand flag consideration process]] in its third.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flag referenda |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/flags-of-new-zealand/flag-referenda |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref>

He was comfortably re-elected in [[Clutha-Southland]] in the [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011 election]] but opted to run as a [[Party lists in the 2014 New Zealand general election#National Party|party-list candidate]] in [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Adam |date=1 November 2013 |title=English to give up Clutha-Southland seat |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/279396/english-give-clutha-southland-seat |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104065522/http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/279396/english-give-clutha-southland-seat |archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |date=10 January 2014 |title=Life after Bill |work=[[The Southland Times]] |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/features/9578936/Life-after-Bill |access-date=23 February 2014}}</ref>

The pairing of [[John Key]] as leader of the National Party and English as his deputy has been compared to that of [[Bob Hawke]] and [[Paul Keating]] (in Australia) and [[Tony Blair]] and [[Gordon Brown]] (in the UK).<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-05/meet-the-next-prime-minister-of-new-zealand/8092694 "John Key resignation: Meet Bill English, the likely next Prime Minister of New Zealand"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212022057/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-05/meet-the-next-prime-minister-of-new-zealand/8092694 |date=12 December 2016 }}, ABC News, 5 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.</ref>

English acceded to the role of finance minister during the [[2008 financial crisis]]. In response to New Zealand's rising debt, English made [[Government budget balance|budget deficit]]-reduction his main priority. His [[2009 New Zealand budget|first budget]] outlined three focuses in New Zealand's financial recovery: "improving the business environment and removing roadblocks to growth; investment in productive infrastructure; and improving the way government works".<ref name="09 budget">{{cite news|title=Bill English's Budget speech|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/budget-09/2452593/Bill-Englishs-Budget-speech|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=28 May 2009|language=en}}</ref> One of his first acts was creating the [[National Infrastructure Unit]], charged with formulating a plan for infrastructure projects and investments.<ref name="09 budget" /> He commissioned a government-wide spending review, with an aim to reducing government expenditure—with the exceptions of a two-year [[Stimulus (economics)|stimulus]] package and long-term increases on infrastructure spending.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stimulus package to inject $7 billion into NZ economy|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/stimulus-package-inject-7-billion-nz-economy-38313|website=The National Business Review|access-date=17 May 2017|language=en|date=26 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505053226/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/stimulus-package-inject-7-billion-nz-economy-38313|archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="09 budget" />

In April 2011, the Opposition criticised English for suggesting that New Zealand businesses could use New Zealand's low wages to help it compete with Australia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Low wages 'advantage' for NZ – English|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4869938/Low-wages-advantage-for-NZ-English|access-date=17 May 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=10 April 2011|language=en}}</ref> The National Government campaigned for [[2011 New Zealand general election|re-election in 2011]] on its [[Economy of New Zealand|economic record]]. The Government boasted growth for five consecutive quarters up to mid-2010, totalling 1.6% of [[Real gross domestic product|real GDP]].<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand: Economic and Financial Overview 2012|url=http://www.treasury.govt.nz/economy/overview/2012/nzefo-12.pdf|publisher=[[New Zealand Treasury]]|access-date=17 May 2017|date=2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504235219/http://www.treasury.govt.nz/economy/overview/2012/nzefo-12.pdf|archive-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

Strong growth resulted in a surplus of $473 million for the 2015/16 financial year, projected to rise to $8.5 billion by 2020/21. In his 2016 Economic and Fiscal Update address, English stated that reducing debt and tackling the costs of the [[2016 Kaikōura earthquake]] were higher priorities than reducing rates of tax.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sachdeva|first1=Sam|title=Bill English gives financial update, says reducing debt and earthquake recovery more important than tax cuts|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/87338684/Bill-English-gives-financial-update-says-reducing-debt-and-earthquake-recovery-more-important-than-tax-cuts|access-date=17 May 2017|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=8 December 2016|language=en}}</ref>

====Allowances issue====
In 2009, the media, including [[TVNZ]] and [[TV3 (New Zealand)|TV3]] revealed that English was receiving about NZ$900 a week as part of a living allowance for ministers, to live in his own NZ$1.2&nbsp;million Wellington home. At the time, English also received $276,200 in his annual salary as deputy prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Scott|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Bill-English-defends-allowance-for-Wellington-home/tabid/209/articleID/114791/cat/961/Default.aspx|title=Bill English defends allowance for Wellington home|publisher=[[TV3 (New Zealand)|TV3]]|date=1 August 2009|access-date=1 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324081409/http://www.3news.co.nz/Bill-English-defends-allowance-for-Wellington-home/tabid/209/articleID/114791/cat/961/Default.aspx|archive-date=24 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Young|first=Audrey |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10588307|title=Key backs $900-a-week subsidy for English home|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=6 August 2009}}</ref> It was also revealed other ministers with homes in the capital city were also claiming accommodation allowances.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/housing-allowances-review-launched-2884845|title=Housing allowances review to be launched|publisher=[[TVNZ]]|date=3 August 2009|access-date=6 August 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805145436/http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/housing-allowances-review-launched-2884845|archive-date=5 August 2009}}</ref> On 3 August 2009, Prime Minister John Key started a review of the housing allowances claimed by cabinet ministers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/08/03/1245c12dec59|title=Ministerial housing rules to be reviewed|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=3 August 2009|access-date=6 August 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807005641/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/08/03/1245c12dec59|archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref> English subsequently paid back $12,000 and only claimed about $24,000 a year in living allowances.<ref>{{cite news|last=Young|first=Audrey|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10588933|title=English to cut house claims by half|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 August 2009|access-date=6 August 2009}}</ref> The Auditor-General's office said in September 2009 that they were making "preliminary enquiries" into parliamentary housing expenses in response to a letter of complaint from [[Jim Anderton's Progressive Party|Progressive]] party leader [[Jim Anderton]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2905128/Auditors-look-into-Bill-Englishs-housing-allowances|title=Auditors look into Bill English's Housing allowances|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=26 September 2009|access-date=29 September 2009}}</ref> Two days later English stated that he would no longer take up any housing allowance and had paid back all the allowance he had received since the November 2008 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2910567/Bill-English-gives-up-housing-allowance|title=Bill English gives up housing allowance|work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]]|date=28 September 2009|access-date=29 September 2009|url-status=live|archive-url= https://archive.today/20091002085514/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2910567/Bill-English-gives-up-housing-allowance |archive-date=2 October 2009}}</ref>

===Prime Minister (2016–2017)===
{{Infobox administration
| image = Bill English September 2016.jpg
| image_size = 
| name = Premiership of Bill English
| term_start = 12 December 2016
| term_end = 26 October 2017
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| cabinet = [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand]]
| party = [[New Zealand National Party]]
| election = 
| appointer = [[Patsy Reddy]]
| predecessor = [[John Key#Prime Minister (2008–2016)|John Key]]
| successor = [[Jacinda Ardern#Prime Minister (2017–2023)|Jacinda Ardern]]
| seal =
| seal_size = 
| seal_caption =
| official_url =
}}

[[File:Bill English and Paula Bennett.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|English with Deputy Prime Minister [[Paula Bennett]] on the steps of Parliament, December 2016]]
John Key resigned on 12 December, and endorsed English as his successor in [[2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election|the resulting leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Davison|first=Isaac|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11760656|title=John Key resigns as Prime Minister of New Zealand, cites family issues for leaving|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date= 5 December 2016|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11761422|title=Bill English: Why I'm standing for Prime Minister|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 December 2016|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Audrey|last2=Trevett|first2=Claire |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11761231 |title=The race for Prime Minister gets crowded – It's Bill English, Jonathan Coleman and now Judith Collins |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=6 December 2016 |access-date= 6 December 2016}}</ref> Following the drop-out of both [[Judith Collins]] and [[Jonathan Coleman (politician)|Jonathan Coleman]] from the leadership election, English was sworn in as the 39th [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]] on 12 December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/319938/live-the-contest-for-prime-minister|title=The race to be PM: how it happened|work =[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=8 December 2016|access-date=15 December 2016}}</ref>

English appointed his first [[Cabinet of New Zealand|cabinet]] on 18 December. In a [[cabinet reshuffle|reshuffle]], he appointed [[Steven Joyce]] to succeed him as finance minister, while most ministerial portfolios remained the same.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moir|first1=Jo|title=Who are the winners and losers in Bill English's Cabinet reshuffle?|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87699167/who-are-the-winners-and-losers-in-bill-englishs-cabinet-reshuffle|date=18 December 2016|access-date=16 May 2017|work=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

In February 2017, English did not attend [[Waitangi Day]] commemorations at the historic [[Waitangi, Northland|treaty grounds]],<ref name="Moir2017">{{cite news|last1=Moir|first1=Jo|last2=Sachdeva|first2=Sam|title=PM Bill English defends Waitangi Day no-show, says Kiwis 'cringe' at protests|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88223249/PM-Bill-English-defends-Waitangi-Day-no-show-says-Kiwis-cringe-at-protests|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=9 January 2017}}</ref> reportedly in response to the [[Ngāpuhi]] [[iwi]]'s decision to stop the Prime Minister from speaking at the [[marae]].<ref name="Moir2017" /> Ngāpuhi have protested the Government's negotiation of the [[Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement]] (TPPA), which the iwi believe infringes upon Māori sovereignty, and thus does not adhere to the Treaty of Waitangi.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Audrey|title=Maori feel 'kept in the dark' over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, says Kelvin Davis|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11577244|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=21 January 2016|language=en-NZ}}</ref> English had been invited to attend in an official capacity; his non-attendance was criticised by a Ngāpuhi elder and Opposition leader [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Nicholas|title=Kiwis 'cringe' at Waitangi Day ceremony: PM|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11778914|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=9 January 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Andrew Little: PM has a responsibility to attend Waitangi|url=http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/andrew-little-pm-has-a-responsibility-to-attend-waitangi/|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[Newstalk ZB]] |date=16 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117140525/http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/andrew-little-pm-has-a-responsibility-to-attend-waitangi/|archive-date=17 January 2017}}</ref>

In his first overseas trip as prime minister, English travelled to Europe to discuss trade ties, including a prospective New Zealand–European Union [[free trade agreement]].<ref name="foreign visit">{{cite web|title=Prime Minister Bill English to take first overseas trip at leaders|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11777211|publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=16 May 2017|language=en-NZ|date=5 January 2017}}</ref> He first travelled to London on 13 January 2017 to meet British prime minister [[Theresa May]]. Discussing trade relations, English said the two nations were "natural partners" and would "continue to forge ties" after the UK's [[Brexit|withdrawal from the EU]].<ref>{{cite news|title=New Zealand PM praises May's Brexit 'clarity'|url=http://news.sky.com/story/new-zealand-pm-praises-theresa-mays-brexit-clarity-and-determination-10727444|access-date=16 May 2017|work=Sky News|date=13 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115192413/http://news.sky.com/story/new-zealand-pm-praises-theresa-mays-brexit-clarity-and-determination-10727444|archive-date=15 January 2017}}</ref> He also arranged to meet with London Mayor [[Sadiq Khan]], Belgian prime minister [[Charles Michel]] and German Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]].<ref name="foreign visit" />  In a meeting with Merkel, English received crucial backing from Germany for a trade deal with the EU.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prime Minister Bill English hopeful of reviving TPP, keen for quick EU deal|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88477735/prime-minister-bill-english-hopeful-of-reviving-tpp-keen-for-quick-eu-deal|agency=Reuters|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=16 May 2017|date=17 January 2017}}</ref> On 16 January, English stated that his government would continue to promote TPPA, despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the agreement.<ref>{{cite news|title=NZ will promote TPP despite US rejection – English|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/322491/nz-will-promote-tpp-despite-us-rejection-english|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=16 January 2017|language=en-nz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518140749/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/322491/nz-will-promote-tpp-despite-us-rejection-english|archive-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> He explained that Southeast Asian countries would now be treated as a priority in negotiations—he also asserted that the United States was ceding influence to China by its rejection of the trade pact.<ref>{{cite news|title=After U.S. exit, Asian nations try to save TPP trade deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-asia-idUSKBN15800V|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[Reuters]]|date=24 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502224026/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-asia-idUSKBN15800V|archive-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>

At a press conference at the [[Beehive (New Zealand)|Beehive]] on 1 February 2017, English announced that the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]] would be held on 23 September.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davison|first1=Isaac|title=Prime Minister Bill English reveals NZ will go to the polls on September 23|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11792603|access-date=16 May 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=1 February 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref> The Prime Minister later confirmed that his party would approach [[ACT New Zealand|ACT]], [[United Future]] and the [[Māori Party]] if [[confidence and supply]] agreements were required to form a government following the election.<ref>{{cite web|title=PM announces parties National can work with|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-announces-parties-national-can-work|publisher=The Beehive|access-date=16 May 2017|language=en-nz|date=1 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420012336/https://beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-announces-parties-national-can-work|archive-date=20 April 2017}}</ref> In his second cabinet reshuffle on 24 April, English appointed [[Gerry Brownlee]] as his new [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|Foreign Affairs Minister]]; he also promoted [[Nikki Kaye]] to the portfolio of [[Minister of Education (New Zealand)|Education Minister]], and moved [[Mark Mitchell (New Zealand politician)|Mark Mitchell]] into the cabinet to become [[Minister of Defence (New Zealand)|Defence Minister]]. The reshuffle was perceived as an election preparation.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Isaac |last1=Davison|title=Prime Minister Bill English reveals new-look Cabinet|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11844110|publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=16 May 2017|language=en-NZ|date=24 April 2017}}</ref>

On 13 February 2017, English welcomed Australian prime minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] to Wellington. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared trade agenda, and discussed changes to the Australian citizenship pathway which will affect permanent residents originating from New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|title=PM welcomes Australian PM to NZ|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-welcomes-australian-pm-nz|publisher=The Beehive|access-date=16 May 2017|language=en-nz|date=13 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420012325/https://beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-welcomes-australian-pm-nz|archive-date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

On 19 June, it was reported that [[Todd Barclay]], who succeeded English as MP for [[Clutha-Southland]], had clandestinely recorded one of his employee's conversations the previous year, and that John Key's leaders' budget was used to pay a confidential settlement after the employee resigned. English admitted that he had been aware of the illegal recording and the settlement, and thus implicated in the scandal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Reid|first1=Melanie|title=The politicians, the police, and the payout|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/06/19/34825/the-politician-the-police-the-payout|access-date=4 July 2017|work=Newsroom|date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708010742/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/06/19/34825/the-politician-the-police-the-payout|archive-date=8 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=PM Bill English spoke to police over Todd Barclay's secret recording|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/pm-knew-about-hush-money-for-bugged-worker-investigation.html|access-date=4 July 2017|work=[[Newshub]] |date=20 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708115127/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/pm-knew-about-hush-money-for-bugged-worker-investigation.html|archive-date=8 July 2017}}</ref>

During the 2017 National campaign launch, English introduced a $379 million social investment package including digital learning academies for high school students, more resources for mathematics, and boosting support for teaching second languages in schools, and maintaining National Standards in the school curriculum. Prime Minister English also sought to defend National's financial management and economic track record and claimed that the opposition Labour Party would raise taxes.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Watkins|first1=Tracy|last2=Small|first2=Vernon|title=National launches official campaign with $379 million education bid|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96196762/national-launches-official-campaign-with-education-bid|access-date=8 October 2017|agency=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|date=28 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Speech: English – National Party Campaign Launch|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00491/speech-english-national-party-campaign-launch.htm|access-date=8 October 2017|publisher=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]]|date=27 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130650/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00491/speech-english-national-party-campaign-launch.htm|archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Early opinion polling had forecast a poor showing in the election for the Labour Party, but in early August 37-year-old [[Jacinda Ardern]] took over as Labour leader and seemingly energised younger voters.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shuttleworth|first1=Kate|title=Jacindamania: rocketing rise of New Zealand Labour's fresh political hope|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/02/jacindamania-rocketing-rise-of-new-zealand-labours-fresh-political-hope|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 March 2018|language=en|date=2 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Zach|first1=Paul|title='Jacindamania' puts a young face on New Zealand politics|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/jacindamania-puts-a-young-face-on-new-zealand-politics|work=The Straits Times|access-date=14 March 2018|language=en|date=18 September 2017}}</ref>

At the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]], National won the largest share of the party vote (44.4%) and the largest number of seats (56) in the House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 General Election – Official Result|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120051/http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> However, National lacked enough seats to govern alone due to two of the party's support partners, the Māori Party and United Future, losing their parliamentary seats. In response, English stated that the party would be entering into talks to form a coalition with [[New Zealand First]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Tony|title=Bill English reaches out to Winston Peters|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/bill-english-reaches-out-to-winston-peters.html|access-date=8 October 2017|publisher=[[Newshub]]|date=23 September 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925055615/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/bill-english-reaches-out-to-winston-peters.html|archive-date=25 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Moir|first1=Jo|title=Election Results: Labour and Greens gain two seats, National loses two|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/97652207/special-vote-labour-and-greens-gain-two-seats-national-lose-two|access-date=8 October 2017|agency=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|date=7 October 2017}}</ref> Following talks with the two largest parties, New Zealand First entered a coalition arrangement with the Labour Party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Labour-NZ First coalition agreement|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11936177|access-date=26 October 2017|work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=23 October 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref> English was succeeded as prime minister by Jacinda Ardern on 26 October.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jacinda Ardern sworn in as new Prime Minister|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11936791|access-date=26 October 2017|work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=26 October 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref>

==Opposition (2017–2018)==
===Leader of the Opposition===
English was re-elected as National Party leader on 24 October 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill English stays as National's leader, Paula Bennett still deputy|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11936348|access-date=26 October 2017|work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=24 October 2017|language=en-NZ}}</ref> At the time of his re-election, English announced his intention to stay on as leader until the [[2020 New Zealand general election|next general election]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill English staying on through 2020|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/98192081/bill-english-staying-on-through-2020|access-date=26 October 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=24 October 2017}}</ref> On 13 February 2018, however, he stood down as National Party leader for personal reasons, and instructed the party to put into motion the processes to elect a new leader. He also retired from Parliament.<ref name="resignation"/> English's resignation followed weeks of speculation that he would step aside for a new leader.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Eleanor Ainge |title=Bill English: former New Zealand prime minister to quit politics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/bill-english-former-new-zealand-prime-minister-resign-quits-jacinda-ardern |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=12 February 2018}}</ref> On 27 February, he was succeeded as party leader by [[Simon Bridges]] as the result of the [[2018 New Zealand National Party leadership election|leadership election]] held that day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/02/live-updates-national-leadership-contest.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227020311/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/02/live-updates-national-leadership-contest.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2018 |title=Live updates: National chooses Simon Bridges |last=Bracewell-Worrall |first=Anna |newspaper=[[Newshub]] |date=27 February 2018 |access-date=27 February 2018}}</ref>

==Post-prime ministerial career==
In 2018, English joined the board of Australian conglomerate, [[Wesfarmers]]. English serves in Chairmanships of Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, Impact Lab Ltd and Manawanui Support Ltd. He is also a director of The Instillery, Centre for Independent Studies and The Todd Corporation Limited, and is a member of the Impact Advisory Group of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Right Honourable Sir Bill English KNZM|url=https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/who-we-are/directors/profile/rt.-hon.-bill-english|access-date=14 September 2021|website=www.wesfarmers.com.au}}</ref>

In mid December 2023, the [[Sixth National Government of New Zealand|National-led coalition government]] appointed English to lead an independent review into housing agency [[Kāinga Ora]]'s financial situation, procurement, and asset management.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bishop |first1=Chris |title=Independent Review into Kāinga Ora announced |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/independent-review-k%C4%81inga-ora-announced |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |access-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221142228/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/independent-review-k%C4%81inga-ora-announced |archive-date=21 December 2023 |date=18 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 May 2024, English's review found that Kāinga Ora exploited its easy access to Government credit and excessively borrowed without exercising fiscal discipline.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearse |first1=Adam |last2=Gabel |first2=Julia |last3=Coughlan |first3=Thomas |title=PM Christopher Luxon announces Kāinga Ora changes, new board refresh, KiwiBuild to be scrapped |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pm-christopher-luxon-announces-kainga-ora-changes-new-board-refresh-kiwbuild-to-be-scrapped/WJJQFZKUTRAUXMHBICWJBK24W4/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521055916/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pm-christopher-luxon-announces-kainga-ora-changes-new-board-refresh-kiwbuild-to-be-scrapped/WJJQFZKUTRAUXMHBICWJBK24W4/ |archive-date=21 May 2024}}</ref>

==Political and social views==
{{Conservatism New Zealand}}
English is regarded as more socially conservative than his predecessor, John Key.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill English elected as New Zealand prime minister|url= http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/12/12/bill-english-elected-new-zealand-prime-minister|access-date=17 May 2017|work=[[SBS News]]|date=12 December 2016|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171011140546/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/12/12/bill-english-elected-new-zealand-prime-minister|archive-date=11 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="EleanorAingeRoy">{{cite news |last1=Ainge Roy|first1=Eleanor |title=Bill English: the Catholic conservative who will be New Zealand's next PM|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/08/bill-english-the-catholic-conservative-who-will-be-new-zealands-new-pm|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=16 December 2016|date=8 December 2016|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161215223214/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/08/bill-english-the-catholic-conservative-who-will-be-new-zealands-new-pm|archive-date=15 December 2016}}</ref> He has stated his opposition to [[voluntary euthanasia]] and [[Assisted suicide|physician-assisted suicide]],<ref>[http://www.australasianbioethics.org/Newsletters/086-2003-08-01.html Euthanasia bill dies in NZ Parliament] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522074837/http://www.australasianbioethics.org/Newsletters/086-2003-08-01.html |date=22 May 2008 }}, Australasian Bioethics Information, 86, 1 August 2003.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=1 July 2009|title=Death with Dignity Bill — First Reading|journal=[[Hansard]]|volume= 610|page= 7482|location=Wellington, New Zealand|publisher=New Zealand House of Representatives|access-date=17 May 2017|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20030730_00001096/death-with-dignity-bill-first-reading}}</ref> [[civil union in New Zealand|same-sex civil unions]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.qna.net.nz/news/697.html|last=Claridge|first=Anna|title=Civil unions 'waste of time'|work=[[The Press]]|date=25 April 2006|access-date=17 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115135415/http://www.qna.net.nz/news/697.html|archive-date=15 January 2015}}</ref> and the decriminalisation of [[prostitution in New Zealand|prostitution]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Luke|first=Peter|author2=Wellwood, Elinore |title=The politician|work=[[The Southland Times]]|date=13 October 2001}}</ref> As prime minister he opposed any "liberalisation" of [[abortion in New Zealand|abortion law]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moir|first1=Jo|title=Prime Minister Bill English won't 'liberalise' abortion law|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90337753/prime-minister-bill-english-wont-liberalise-abortion-law|access-date=17 May 2017|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=12 March 2017}}</ref>

In 2004, English voted against [[Civil Union Act 2004|a bill]] to establish civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votes.wotfun.com/bill/1|title=Civil Unions Act – New Zealand Parliamentary Conscience Votes Database|website=Votes.wotfun.com|access-date=15 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228220032/http://votes.wotfun.com/bill/1|archive-date=28 February 2017}}</ref> In 2005, he voted for the [[Same-sex marriage in New Zealand#Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005|Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill]], which would have amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill — First Reading|journal=Hansard|date=7 December 2005|volume=628|page=664|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-first|access-date=17 May 2017|publisher=New Zealand House of Representatives|location=Wellington, New Zealand|language=en}}</ref> English voted against the [[Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013|Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill]], a bill that legalised [[same-sex marriage in New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878241|title=Gay marriage: How MPs voted|date=18 April 2013|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=5 December 2016}}</ref> However, in December 2016 he stated, "I'd probably vote differently now on the gay marriage issue. I don't think that gay marriage is a threat to anyone else's marriage".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/bill-english-changes-view-on-gay-marriage-2016121214|title=Bill English changes view on gay marriage|date=12 December 2016|work=[[Newshub]] |access-date=15 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213115337/http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/bill-english-changes-view-on-gay-marriage-2016121214|archive-date=13 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2009, English voted against the [[Cannabis in New Zealand#Legality|Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill]], a bill aimed at amending the Misuse of Drugs Act so that cannabis could be used for medical purposes.<ref name="HansardMedCannabisVote">{{cite journal|date=1 July 2009|title=Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill – First Reading|journal=Hansard|volume= 655|page= 4850|location=Wellington, New Zealand|publisher=New Zealand House of Representatives|access-date=6 December 2016|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20090701_00001165/misuse-of-drugs-medicinal-cannabis-amendment-bill-first}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
[[File:ANZAC Day service at the National War Memorial - Flickr - NZ Defence Force (13).jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|right|English (left) at a 2011 [[Anzac Day]] service in Wellington, alongside then-Governor-General [[Anand Satyanand|Sir Anand Satyanand]] (centre)]]
English met his future wife, Mary Scanlon, at university. She was studying medicine at the time, and became a [[general practitioner]]. Both her parents were immigrants, her father being Samoan and her mother Italian, born on the island of [[Stromboli]]. They have six children: a daughter and five sons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Du Chateau|first1=Carroll|title=The English Doctor|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/carroll-du-chateau/news/article.cfm?a_id=69&objectid=232498|access-date=8 October 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=7 December 2001|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174256/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/carroll-du-chateau/news/article.cfm?a_id=69&objectid=232498|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Burr|first1=Lloyd|title=Bill English rolls out family for election campaign|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/bill-english-rolls-out-family-for-election-campaign.html|access-date=8 October 2017|publisher=[[Newshub]]|date=27 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080407/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/bill-english-rolls-out-family-for-election-campaign.html|archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref>

English is a practising [[Roman Catholic]],<ref name="EleanorAingeRoy" /> but has stated that he considers his religious beliefs personal and thus separate from politics.<ref>{{cite news|first=Colin|last=James|archive-date=10 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210184023/http://www.synapsis.co.nz/herald/Herald_2006/Heraldxtra_English_06Dec02.htm|url=http://www.synapsis.co.nz/herald/Herald_2006/Heraldxtra_English_06Dec02.htm|title=Bill English conservative: a 2000s update|publisher=New Zealand Herald Weekend Review|date=2 December 2006|quote=English doesn't talk easily about his faith. It is personal and the personal and the political are separate, he says.}}</ref>

In June 2002, English took part in [[TV3 (New Zealand)|TV3's]] ''Fight For Life'', a celebrity [[boxing]] fundraiser to raise money for the Yellow Ribbon anti-youth-suicide campaign, influenced by the death of a teenage nephew in 1997. He lost a split decision to former university colleague Ted Clarke.<ref name="NZ_Herald_2045619">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2045619|title=Bill English goes back to rolling with the punches|date=8 June 2002|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref>

==Honours==
During a 2017 visit to [[Samoa]] marking 55 years of independence, English was bestowed with the mātai, or [[Faʻamatai|Samoan chiefly title]], of Leulua'iali'iotumua by the village of Faleula, the home village of his wife Mary. It is considered an 'igoa ali'i', one of Faleula's highest titles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=Bill English bestowed Samoan chief title |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-bill-english-bestowed-samoan-chief-title/3GIJJQRBEB24NRKLKWWIPPSGGE/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

In the [[2018 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2018 Queen's Birthday Honours]], English was appointed a [[Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services of over 27 years to the State.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2018 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 2018 |date=4 June 2018 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of New Zealand governments]]
*[[Politics of New Zealand]]
{{Portal|New Zealand|Politics}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|Politics|New Zealand}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140827133006/https://www.national.org.nz/team/mps/detail/bill.english Profile] at National Party 
*[http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current/51MP321/english-bill Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410110119/http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current/51MP321/english-bill |date=10 April 2016 }} on Parliament.nz
*[http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/bill-english Releases and speeches] at Beehive.govt.nz

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{{New Zealand prime ministers}}
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