She was educated at St Margaret's College in Christchurch, and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Canterbury.

Paediatric Society Doctor Andrew Marshall said "making folic acid mandatory would prevent 10 to 20 birth defects, such as spina bifida, a year", as well as strokes and other disease.

[7] Wilkinson resigned her portfolio as Minister of Labour on 5 November 2012, following the publication of the Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster.

[6] On 31 January 2013 Wilkinson was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable for life in recognition of her term as a Member of the Executive Council of New Zealand.

[1] Matt Doocey, who contested the 2013 Christchurch East by-election,[11] was selected by the National Party to replace Wilkinson, and retained the seat with an increased majority at the 2014 election.