Former finance minister Sir Bill Birch dies

Former finance minister Bill Birch has died.Sir William Birch was 92.He served 27 years in Parliament. Noted for his grasp of detail and capacity for hard work, he held 15 portfolios in his 12 years in government.Nicknamed the 'Minister for Everything', Birch's portfolios included Finance, Energy, Labour, and Regional Development.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Birch was a "giant" of the National Party, who "delivered more for our country than he would ever take credit for'.Born in Hastings in 1934 and educated at Hamilton Technical College, he qualified as a surveyor in 1957. Usually known as Bill, he had his own practice in Pukekohe and served his political apprenticeship in local government. He had twice been Pukekohe's deputy mayor when he retained Franklin for the National Party