Peter Goodfellow | |
|---|---|
| President of the National Party | |
| In office 2 August 2009 – 6 August 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Judy Kirk |
| Succeeded by | Sylvia Wood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1953 (age 71–72) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse | Desley Simpson |
| Relatives | Douglas Goodfellow (father) William Goodfellow (grandfather) |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland University of California |
Peter Goodfellow (born 1953)[1] is a New Zealand businessman and former politician who served as the President of theNew Zealand National Party from 2009 to 2022.[2]
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 ministersJohn Key andBill English, as well as the beginning of National's time in Opposition under leadersSimon Bridges,Todd Muller,Judith Collins andChristopher Luxon.
In early August 2021, Goodfellow survived a leadership challenge by formerSpeaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives turned National Party board memberDavid 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, butJohn Key's resignation as prime minister convinced him to remain in the role.[8][9][10]
Peter Goodfellow is a director in fishing companySanford Ltd.[11] He is currently a Board Trustee on the St. Andrew’s Village Trust (Inc).[12]
He is the son ofDouglas Goodfellow and grandson ofSir William Goodfellow.[13] The wealth of the Goodfellow family was estimated at $500 million in 2013,[13] largely acquired through investment in thedairy farming industry.[14] He is married to Auckland councillorDesley Simpson.[15]