August 25, 2021
Cullen inspired as he shouldered foreshore burden
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says former Labour Deputy Prime Minister Sir Michael Cullen’s people-centered approach to politics was an inspiration to her.
Sir Michael died of lung cancer last week.
His legacy includes the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the Central North Island Forestry Settlement, and on a more controversial note, Labour’s Foreshore and Seabed Act.
Ms Ardern says he was someone who was always willing to learn and to change his position based on what would improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
"I have memories of Michael as well, even from some of those hard times such as the debate over the foreshore and seabed, of seeing the weight of that debate fall on him and the emotion during that time as well so even through those difficult times you could see he was a person who really struggled and grappled with some of those tough issues. Just an inspiring person," she says.
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