JO GOODHEW, CMInstD

Jo Goodhew is a South Canterbury based director and celebrant whose governance work spans health, aged care, community services and the rural sector. She chairs Presbyterian Support South Canterbury and is a trustee of Hospice South Canterbury, the Aoraki Foundation and the South Canterbury Rural Support Trust. 

In November 2025 she was appointed to the board of the Independent Children’s Monitor - Aroturuki Tamariki - the statutory body that independently monitors the Oranga Tamariki system. Her earlier governance roles included Alzheimers South Canterbury, the Retirement Villages Association executive committee, and an elected term on the South Canterbury District Health Board.

Jo trained as a registered nurse and spent 20 years working in hospital and general practice settings, followed by a role in crime prevention and community strengthening. 

In 2005 she was elected as MP for Aoraki, and continued as MP for Rangitata following boundary changes, leaving Parliament at the 2017 election. She served as a Minister from 2011 until the end of 2016, holding the Community and Voluntary Sector, Senior Citizens, Women’s Affairs and Food Safety portfolios, along with associate roles in Health, Social Development and Primary Industries.  

Jo lives in Timaru where she and husband Mark own a dental practice. They have three grown up daughters and their two grand children live close by.