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her inspiration getting to know Jo Goodhew Minister of Women's Affairs Nuture comes naturally for this nurse turned politician NOW A MINISTER IN the 2011-2014 National Government, Jo Goodhew was elected as the Member of Parliament for Rangitata in 2008, having been elected to Parliament as the MP for aoraki in 2005. 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 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 in a large number of organisations, including the South Canterbury DhB Community and Public health Committee, the Craighead Diocesan School Board of Trustees, the Timaru Multiple Birth Club, and was a previous Chair of the Waimataitai School Board of Trustee, a former Timaru Plunket Branch President and Chair of 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 united Kingdom in 1984. Jo is married to Mark, and they have three daughters studying at university. She likes to read, exercises regularly and occasionally finds time to ski. Congratulations on becoming the Minister of Women's Affairs. How have things been going so far? It has been a bit of a whirl really, as this time of the year always is, and now I've added a new role and responsibilities to the mix! However I'm excited by the challenges ahead. What thoughts were running through your mind when the Prime Minister extended the position to you? Delight that he believes I have the ability to take on Ministerial roles, and pride as well. What was your first significant political venture and what did you learn from it? Standing for National in 2005 was my first significant venture and what I learnt was that hard work, self-belief and timing can win the day. In your pre-political life you were a nurse. In what ways did this career drive you towards a political career? I don't believe it drove me towards politics, but rather it gave me communication skills and some background knowledge that would prove invaluable. What are some differences you experienced working in hospitals in New Zealand and the United Kingdom? Whilst in the United Kingdom I worked for a nursing agency. Most of my work was in private hospitals where I was one-on-one with the patients. That was of course very different to New Zealand hospitals. However, it was also 27 years ago. What are your main goals for the aged care sector? The discussion document I wrote while in opposition set out a number of goals for the sector, and some of those have become policy under the last National Government. As delegations for the Associate Minister of Health have not yet been determined, I'm unsure if this will be my responsibility. However, high quality care for older New Zealanders, and looking at ways to make that the reality everywhere and for everyone will be one goal that I will always sign up to. What were your motives behind establishing the Aorangi Nursing Agency? And are similar organisations needed in other parts of the country today? 54 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE