Queen's Birthday Honours: Former Prime Minister Bill English made a knight
Former Prime Minister and now Sir Bill English and Lady Mary English talk about his knighthood in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Former Prime Minister Bill English has received top honours in the Queen's Birthday list - awarded a knighthood for his services to the state over a 27-year political career.
English - who was Prime Minister for less than a year - has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He is one of the country's most celebrated finance ministers, and has also earned praise for being a vocal champion for his groundbreaking approach to social issues.
Talking to Stuff at his home in Karori, Wellington, alongside his wife - now Lady Mary English - he acknowledged he would probably have to be called by his new title "Sir Bill" at some official events.
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"But I hope people will still call me Bill."
The honour has been awarded for "services to the State" and recognises a career that includes 24 years of local service as MP for Clutha-Southland, as well as national service holding major ministerial portfolios, including education, health and treasurer.
As the 39th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 2016 to October 2017, English pushed New Zealand forward with a heavy focus on trade relations and the development of social investment.
Former Prime Minister John Key, left, and former PM and Finance Minister Bill English on the 9th floor of the Beehive in Wellington, two days before the 2014 budget.
But perhaps it was during his time as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under former Prime Minister Sir John Key that English made his largest and most lasting impact on New Zealand.
"As Finance Minister from 2008 until 2016, Mr English oversaw one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world, steering New Zealand through the Global Financial Crisis and the Christchurch earthquakes and ensuring the Crown accounts were in a strong financial position," his citation reads, rather dryly.
More colourful commentary at the time would globally brand him the man responsible for New Zealand's "Rockstar Economy" - the envy of government's worldwide and a textbook example of how to pull a country out of recession.
But in keeping with his humble Dipton roots, it was an accolade English was only interested in as far as it affected the lives of New Zealanders and, of course, kept National's political opponents at bay.
English received a standing ovation after delivering his valedictory speech after resigning from Parliament on March 1, 2018.
English said the honour recognised all the people that enabled him to do his work, as much as it was about him.
"It's a recognition of certainly the opportunities that I've had. But so many people; my lovely wife Mary, my supporters down south and the people I've represented for a long time, the team I worked with in politics, which I greatly enjoyed and I think did a very good job of running New Zealand in difficult circumstances," he said.
"I really like the way that it does acknowledge the spouses - I mean my public life has only been possible because of Mary's strength and resilience. It kept me anchored in the family and it all matters when you leave public life because the people that are there are your family and those close family around you.
"So I've got a great debt of gratitude to Mary for all that effort and just living with the pressures of public life."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel with English in Berlin, Germany in January 2017.
She said she was proud of him and the work he had done.
"Look I do think he deserves it and I think it's fantastic because as Bill has said, it also reflects on all the people who have been very supportive in many spheres of life in New Zealand, and that's nice for them too."
Although one close confidante of English's might be less sure. English said he had told his close friend Key - whom conversely, entrusted only English with the knowledge of his intention to resign as Prime Minister back in 2016.
English took the helm as PM in December 2016, leading a new National cabinet.
"He thought maybe I deserved it, he wasn't sure," said English.
Both are now retired from politics and remain close friends. In life after politics, both have taken a similar approach to new business opportunities; building directorships with overseas companies and advising and consultancy work in the financial sector.
However English is also pursuing his own new business venture, alongside a handful of friends and backers, to consult with other Governments and foreign social sector agencies on a number of his ideas while in Government - particularly social investment.
"There's quite a bit of interest in social investment, which was put in place here, and in other aspects of how the New Zealand Government was run successfully over the last 10 years or so."
English, Roger Sowry, Nick Smith and Tony Ryall - were dubbed The "Brat Pack" - back in 1993.
It's an approach in doubt under the current Labour-led Government but involves the use of big data and evidence-based investment practises to tackle some of New Zealand's most entrenched social problems.
English said he was humbled by the honour and to be recognised alongside a raft of other recipients.
"Whatever the titles are and which ones we've had or not had, it is a fantastically positive way of recognising people's efforts. We are a country and a common good as a community, because so many people put into it."
ARE THERE ADVANTAGES TO BEING SIR BILL?
"I wouldn't expect so. It's a recognition of certainly the opportunities that I've had," he said.
But so many people; my lovely wife Mary, my supporters down south and the people I've represented for a long time, the team I worked with in politics, which I greatly enjoyed and I think did a very good job of running New Zealand in difficult circumstances.
"But from here on, I'm starting a new career - I've still got plenty of energy and interest and while the honour recognises all that effort in the past, I want to keep going."
ON AWARDING HONOURS TO OTHERS AS PM
"I used to really enjoy the opportunity to read all the stories, hear about the people who don't make the news, aren't making the decisions in the political world at all and not the business world either, but are really changing how their community is, and making enormous contributions.
"Sometimes a sheer length of service - you get people who have been part of a community organisation for 40 or 50 years - they've put a lot in.
Also the recognition of those around them. That's what gives them the validity of the effort I think."
Former Prime Minister and now Sir Bill English and Lady Mary English talk about his knighthood in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.
ON THE BUDGET
"I'm not going to get into commentary on the Government. We had an election campaign, clearly differences of opinion in which direction the country should go.
"The Government's heading off in its direction - I don't agree with it all. But voters sort that out - that's what you have elections for. "
ON NEW NATIONAL LEADER SIMON BRIDGES
"I'm pleased to see Simon Bridges coming through as a leader. He's got the essential characteristics that are needed," said English.
I think the team has done a great job of going through two leadership transitions in about 18 months and keeping their discipline and coherence.
"That's reflected in the ongoing public support, so I really wish Simon well. He's got what it takes and he's got a bit of time to build that relationship with the public."
ON LIFE AFTER POLITICS
"Not too many typical days. I've been travelling a bit to Australia for my work. I do have time to be able to perform the domestic duties - my cooking has improved dramatically," he said.
"Just from practise - I've figured out if you do it a bit, you get a lot more better at it.
"I do have a bit of time with family and friends and I'm enjoying that, but increasingly a work focus as I get up and get going again.
"I have [progressed from spaghetti pizza] but not with quite the same profile and publicity as last time. I'm getting pretty good at all sorts of things. I had a go at banana muffins which didn't turn out quite so well."
WHAT THE GOOD FOLK OF DIPTON WILL THINK
"There'll be a bit of skepticism I think. It's always the people that know you well that are less admiring f your efforts. But it doesn't happen that often down south. I think the last time there was a Queen's honour of this sort in my own area was Sir Brian Talboys, now many years ago.
"I hope they just it as a recognition of the help and support I've had, but also in an indirect way their own contribution, to their own community and their country."
ON THE RETIREMENT CLUB:
"[Me and John Key] have caught just a few weeks ago and it's just like old times, you know. We probably tell the same jokes."
- Stuff
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