NZ Super Former Sir Michael Cullen Dies at Age 76
Posted on 08/21/2021
Sir Michael John Cullen (age 76) was a New Zealand politician. Cullen served as Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, also Minister of Finance, Minister of Tertiary Education, and Attorney-General. Cullen died overnight (August 19, 2021) in hospice care in Whakatāne. Cullen had retired to Ohope and had announced his lung cancer diagnosis in March 2020. He is survived by his wife, Anne Collins, their four children and eight grandchildren.
In a press release, Chair of the Guardians of NZ Superannuation Catherine Drayton has expressed sadness at news of the death of Sir Michael Cullen. She adds, ““On behalf of the Guardians, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Anne and Sir Michael’s whanau for their loss.”
She also adds, “Sir Michael was a true visionary. As Finance Minister in 2001, he led the establishment of the NZ Super Fund, which will help support future generations of retired New Zealanders.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson said, in a statement, that Cullen’s death was mourned. “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,” Ardern said.
Keywords: New Zealand Superannuation Fund.
