Jo Hayes


Joanne Kowhai Hayes is a New Zealand politician and since January 2014 is a New Zealand National Party List MP in the New Zealand Parliament.

Career

Hayes has worked in the health industry, as well as at Māori development organisation Nga Tai O te Awa.

Political career

In the 2011 general election Hayes ran for National in Dunedin South, and was in 64th place on the party list.
In December 2013 National list MP Katrina Shanks announced her retirement from Parliament and was replaced by Hayes. On 23 January 2014, the Electoral Commission declared Hayes was officially a National Party list MP and on 28 January 2014 was sworn in as a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
Hayes contested the Christchurch East seat in the 2014 general election, losing to Labour's Poto Williams. However, she was re-elected as a list MP. In the 51st New Zealand Parliament, Hayes served as the National Party's Third Whip, as a member of the Māori Affairs and Local Government and Environment Committees, and as the Chair of the Social Services Committee.

Personal life

Hayes is of Ngāti Porou, Ati Haunui A Paparangi, and Rangitane ki Wairarapa descent. She is married, and has two sons and three grandchildren.