Peter Goodfellow (politician)

Peter Goodfellow
President of the National Party
In office
2 August 2009 – 6 August 2022
Preceded byJudy Kirk
Succeeded bySylvia Wood
Personal details
Born1953 (age 71–72)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyNational
SpouseDesley Simpson
RelativesDouglas Goodfellow (father)
William Goodfellow (grandfather)
Alma materUniversity of Auckland
University of California

Peter Goodfellow (born 1953)[1] is a New Zealand businessman and former politician who served as the President of the New Zealand National Party from 2009 to 2022.[2]

Political career

Goodfellow was a long-time National Party activist. On 2 August 2009, he succeeded Judy Kirk as Party President.[3] In 2009, Goodfellow faced early opposition from within the party, with reports that events instigating the breakup of his marriage had soured his relationship with the party directors.[4] However, he was re-elected by the party's Board of Directors in July 2010.[5] Goodfellow's presidency coincided with National's term in Government under prime ministers John Key and Bill English, as well as the beginning of National's time in Opposition under leaders Simon Bridges, Todd Muller, Judith Collins and Christopher Luxon.

In early August 2021, Goodfellow survived a leadership challenge by former Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives turned National Party board member David Carter. In response, Carter announced his resignation from the National Party's nine-member leadership board.[6][7] In June 2022, Goodfellow announced he would not seek re-election to the presidency in August 2022 but intended to remain on the board. On announcing his retirement, Goodfellow stated that he had intended to step aside from the role in 2016, but John Key's resignation as prime minister convinced him to remain in the role.[8][9][10]

Business career

Peter Goodfellow is a director in fishing company Sanford Ltd.[11] He is currently a Board Trustee on the St. Andrew’s Village Trust (Inc).[12]

Personal life

He is the son of Douglas Goodfellow and grandson of Sir William Goodfellow.[13] The wealth of the Goodfellow family was estimated at $500 million in 2013,[13] largely acquired through investment in the dairy farming industry.[14] He is married to Auckland councillor Desley Simpson.[15]

References

  1. ^ James, Colin (2017). National at 80: The Story of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: David Bateman Ltd. ISBN 9781869539818.
  2. ^ "National Party elects Sylvia Wood as new president". Radio New Zealand. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  3. ^ "New president of National Party elected". The New Zealand Herald. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  4. ^ Watkins, Tracy (30 August 2009). "National president Peter Goodfellow has party's confidence – PM". Stuff. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  5. ^ Trevett, Claire. "Goodfellow retains National Party presidency". Stuff.
  6. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (8 August 2021). "Peter Goodfellow re-elected National Party president". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  7. ^ Patterson, Jane (8 August 2021). "David Carter resigns from National Party board with 'zero confidence' in Goodfellow". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  8. ^ "National Party board president Peter Goodfellow resigns". RNZ. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  9. ^ Manch, Thomas (22 June 2022). "National Party president Peter Goodfellow retires after 13 years". Stuff. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Peter Goodfellow to step down from National Party presidency". NZ Herald. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Welcome to Sanford, the Home of Sustainable Seafood".
  12. ^ "Peter Goodfellow". St Andrew's Village. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b Meadows, Richard (12 July 2014). "William Douglas Goodfellow dies, aged 97". Stuff.
  14. ^ Louisson, Simon (12 May 2016). "National Party President selling out?". The Standard. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  15. ^ Murphy, Tim (10 February 2023). "Desley the deputy steps into the breach". Newsroom. Retrieved 10 February 2023.