In memory of Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009

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class="breadcrumb__link theme__link" > Features </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb__item"> <a href="/en/get-involved/features/in-memory-of-sir-michael-cullen-mp-1981-to-2009/" class="breadcrumb__link theme__link" aria-current="page"> In memory of Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009 </a> </li> </ol> </nav> <div class="publish-date"> <div><strong>Originally published:</strong> 24 August 2021</div> </div> <div class="lede"><p>Former MP Sir Michael Cullen died in Whakatāne on 19 Aug 2021, aged 76.</p></div> <div class="body-text section--border-bottom-mobile push--top-mobile"> <div class="figure figure--image js-lightbox-single one-whole"> <a href="/media/8468/micheal-cullen.jfif" class="figure__container js-lightbox-image" target="" data-caption="Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009." data-source="VNP / Phil Smith "> <img src="/content/images/placeholder/lazyload/original.F1dsGg.png" data-original="/media/8468/micheal-cullen.jfif.FeflSQ/media/8468/micheal-cullen.jfif" alt="Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009, stands in front of a bookcase at Parliament." class="js-lazy-auto " title="Michael Cullen MP"/> <noscript> <img src="/media/8468/micheal-cullen.jfif.FeflSQ/media/8468/micheal-cullen.jfif" alt="Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009, stands in front of a bookcase at Parliament." class="" title="Michael Cullen MP" /> </noscript> <span class="figure__btn theme__btn"> <span class="figure__btn-icon theme__text-inv iconf-zoom-in2" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visuallyhidden">Enlarge image</span> </span> </a> <p class="figure__figcaption"> Sir Michael Cullen, MP 1981 to 2009. </p> <p class="figure__figcaption"> Source: VNP / Phil Smith </p> </div> <p>Michael Cullen served as deputy prime minister from 2002 to 2008 under Helen Clark's Labour government and was deputy leader of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1996 to 2008. He also served as MP for St Kilda from 1981 to 1999 and then as a list MP before retiring from Parliament in 2009.</p> <p>As Finance Minister from 1999 to 2008 he led the establishment of KiwiSaver, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and Working for Families. Amongst his other roles were Minister of Tertiary Education, Attorney-General and Leader of the House.</p> <p> In the years since Sir Michael retired from Parliament, he has been involved in Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations for Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe; and chairing New Zealand Post, the Earthquake Commission, the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District Health Boards, and the Tax Working Group.</p> <p> “Sir Michael was one of the most influential figures in New Zealand politics over the last 40 years. Intelligent, funny and kind he left a significant legacy for the country,” Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern said.</p> <div class="related-links"> <ul class="flex-grid grid--loose related-links__list"> <li class="flex-grid__item m-one-half"> <div class="related-links__item stretch"> <span class="related-links__icon iconf-link" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansS_20090429_00001045/cullen-michael-valedictory-statement" class="related-links__link theme__link"> Read Sir Michael’s departing words to the House from 2009 </a> </div> </li> <li class="flex-grid__item m-one-half"> <div class="related-links__item stretch"> <span class="related-links__icon iconf-link" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/cullen-michael/" class="related-links__link theme__link"> See the portfolios Sir Michael held here </a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div 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