The Goodfellows are better known these days for their political profiles than their business interests.
Peter Goodfellow, grandson of dairy industry pioneer Sir William Goodfellow, is constantly making announcements as president of the National Party. He is approaching the 10th year of his term, which has included three general elections – two wins, one loss – nine by-elections, three of which it did not campaign, and two leadership changes. He has fronted several contentious issues, including cabinet minister Judith Collins’ connections with Chinese businesses, the Todd Barclay affair, a legal suit for illegal copyright use from rapper Eminem and unwelcome publicity over a divorce. Second wife Desley Simpson is no stranger to the public arena, either, as a top-polling Auckland councillor and champion for her well-heeled eastern suburbs ward.
Meanwhile, brother (William) Bruce Goodfellow, who has a PhD in chemical engineering, has been mostly in charge of the family businesses and investments. In recent years, these have been reduced with the selling of businesses and shareholdings in companies such as listed seafood company Sanford. He has been a director of ASX-listed Nufarm since 1991. He is general manager of Amalgamated Dairies, founded by Sir William and run by their father (William) Douglas Goodfellow, who died aged 97 in 2014.
Apart from food and refrigeration, activities included menswear (Cambridge Clothing Co), fertiliser, finance and engineering.
The Goodfellows are large contributors to charities, education (St Kentigern) and medical research. The Goodfellow Unit at the University of Auckland was established to commemorate the life of Sir William. Other donations include a postgraduate chair in general practice at Auckland Medical School and the Richard Maclaurin Goodfellow chair in theology.