Jim Bolger, the farmer who defied expectations to become New Zealand prime minister and usher in a new era of reconciliation with Maori, has died aged 90.

The son of Irish Catholic immigrants raised in Taranaki's green fields after leaving school at 15, Mr Bolger returned the centre-right National party to power in 1990 and served for seven years as prime minister.

Mr Bolger suffered kidney failure last year and died on Wednesday, surrounded by his wife of 62 years Joan, nine children and 18 grandchildren.

"Jim Bolger was a conservative prime minister but in my experience, a particularly wise one," said Paul Keating, who led Australia parallel to his tenure.

"Jim was a pleasure to be with ... without a doubt the jolliest and best natured head of government I had come across."

In three

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