Bill English

Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Housing New Zealand Minister

54 years old Lives in Wellington Entered Parliament in 1990

Raised in small Southland town of Lumsden. Head boy at Silverstream College. Studied commerce and English literature at University Otago. Worked as farmer and Treasury analyst. Conservative Roman Catholic who has opposed same-sex marriage, abortion, euthanasia and the decriminalisation of prostitution. Led National to its worst-ever election result (20.9%) in 2002, and later said he would never lead the party again. Has produced eight budgets as Finance Minister, including tax cuts in 2010 and the first rise in welfare payments in 43 years in 2015. Married to Mary and has six children.