Jim Bolger's first Finance Minister says the former Prime Minister - who died yesterday aged 90 - sometimes sold himself short. 

Bolger served as an MP from 1972 and led the country for seven years. 

Ruth Richardson says in recent years, Bolger criticised some neo-liberal policies he oversaw.

She says Bolger made tough decisions at a tough time. 

"His hand was forced by dreadful economic circumstances that we faced - a real baptism of fire. We did what was right."

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