Former Finance Minister Sir Bill Birch dies at 92

Thomas CoughlanPolitical Editor·NZ Herald·17 Jul, 2026 03:20 AM6 mins to read‌Sir Bill Birch, a former senior minister in two National Governments, has died at 92.Sir Bill Birch, a former senior minister in two National Governments, has died at 92.Sir Bill Birch, a former senior minister in two National Governments, has died at 92.His most senior role was Minister of Finance from 1993 to 1999 in the fourth National Government, serving Prime Ministers Jim Bolger, who became a close friend, and Jenny Shipley. He also served in the