Joseph George Harkness JP (21 July 1850 – 9 January 1930) was a 19th-century independent conservative Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand.

He was largely responsible for the co-operative dairy factory company's takeover of the Motorua Freezing Works, New Plymouth.

The 1887 general election in the Waimea-Picton electorate was contested by Arthur Seymour, Harkness and Charles H. Mills, who received 446, 444 and 415 votes, respectively.

[4] The 1890 general election was contested by Harkness, John Kerr and Francis William Flowerday, who received 672, 655 and 94 votes, respectively.

He did not stand for re-election, but was appointed Government representative on the board, and held that position up to the time of his death.