Jo was elected as the Member of Parliament for Rangitata in 2008, having been elected to Parliament as the MP for Aoraki in 2005.

During her tenure as MP, Jo has highlighted some of the most important issues facing the aged care health sector. This has been achieved through a series of public meetings around New Zealand and led to the release of her Aged Care Discussion Document (05 September 2007) titled “Choice Not Chance for Older New Zealanders”. This paper includes a number of proposals to improve aged care in New Zealand and National's policy development plans for this sector.

Over the past few years, Jo has prioritised the setting-up of networks throughout the electorate. This includes attending meetings with local chief executives, councillors and Mayors from the District Councils. Jo also meets regularly with CEO’s and senior management from the local DHB's, economic development agencies, Aoraki Polytechnic, NZ Police (Ashburton & Timaru), NZ Transport Agency along with other local and national business leaders.

Jo meets regularly with many sector groups including a ‘Ginger Group’, comprised of community minded people who have a focus on local and national affairs. Jo holds regular constituent clinics at the electorate offices. Typical examples of meetings and appointments can be found weekly in her High Country or Mid-Canterbury Herald ‘Diary’.

Jo is committed to visiting every school within her electorate and looks forward to regular meetings with school principals, staff and pupils.

The website is regularly updated with Jo’s media releases, newsletters and photos.

Pre- Election: Jo was born and schooled within South Canterbury where she grew up on a local farm. She qualified as a registered nurse and has practised throughout New Zealand and in London in both hospitals and in general practice. She gained a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1995. Her professional involvement has extended to tutoring in Health Sciences at the Aoraki Polytechnic, acting as recruitment coordinator for Breastscreen South Ltd., and she was also the founder of the Aorangi Nursing Agency.

Jo was employed as a coordinator for the Timaru Safer Community Council immediately prior to campaigning for the Aoraki seat.

Her extensive voluntary community involvement has included membership of the South Canterbury DHB - Community and Public Health Committee; the Craighead Diocesan School Board of Trustees; a current member of the Timaru Multiple Birth Club; and a large number of other organisations.

Jo is a previous Chair of the Waimataitai School BOT, a former Timaru Plunket Branch President and chaired the Aoraki Community Organisation Grants Scheme. She also has a history of involvement with Victim Support as a volunteer and team leader. In the 1980s Jo represented Young Farmers Clubs on exchange to Australia and was one of two New Zealand exchangees to the UK in 1984.

Jo is married to Mark, and they have three teenage daughters. She can occasionally find time to play golf and ski.

Jo with Prime Minister John Key

24 hours in the life of Jo Goodhew -Claire Allison - The Timaru Herald

Jo Goodhew
MP for Rangitata

139 Stafford St                        Phone:      03-683-1386
PO Box 930                              Fax:           03-683-1598
Timaru 7910                            Email:       rangitatamp@parliament.govt.nz