RIP Jim Anderton

As most will know by now, Jim Anderton has died aged 79. He was Deputy PM to Helen Clark for three years and the leader of New Labour, the Alliance and Jim Anderton’s Progressive Party.

Anderton first stood for elected office before I was born, in 1965. He last stood in 2010. He was one of the most energetic politicians of his time, and carried this energy into retirement. I agreed with him on little, but admired his tenacity and energy.

It was sad to see him so frail in the last year, and my thoughts are with his close friends and family.