{{short description|New Zealand politician}} {{for|the New Zealand playwright and actor|Simon O'Connor (actor)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Simon O'Connor | honorific_suffix = | image = OCONNOR, Simon - Tamaki (cropped).png | alt = | caption = O'Connor in 2023 | constituency_MP = Tāmaki | parliament = New Zealand | majority = 15,402 (2020) | term_start = 30 November 2011 | term_end = 14 October 2023 | predecessor = Allan Peachey | successor = Brooke Van Velden | order2 = | alongside2 = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|02|25|df=yes}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | birth_name = | party = National <!--(1990 – present)--> | other_party = <!--For additional political affiliations--> | spouse = {{marriage|Rachel Trimble|2016}} | relations = Simon Bridges (brother-in-law) | children = | alma_mater = | occupation = | profession = | cabinet = | committees = Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade | portfolio = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = | blank1 = | data1 = }} '''Simon David O'Connor''' (born 25 February 1976) is a New Zealand former politician and a former member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the National Party. He represented the Tāmaki electorate from 2011 to 2023.
==Early life== O'Connor was raised in Whangārei, the eldest of three children, where he attended St Mary's Primary School and Pompallier College. He was a keen fencer and was president of the Auckland University Fencing Club.
O'Connor completed training to be a Catholic priest, which involved working on the island of Taveuni in Fiji for two years at a vocational training centre, prison chaplaincy at Mount Eden Prison, military chaplaincy at Waiouru Army Base, and spending time with people in hospitals and hospices. He did not seek ordination, deciding instead to study and pursue a career in politics.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10761971 Nats choose stalwart for Tamaki stronghold] ''New Zealand Herald'', 27 October 2011</ref>
O'Connor graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Political Studies (his Political Studies Honours dissertation looked at the works of René Girard), a Bachelor of Theology, and a Master of Arts with First Class Honours (Political Studies). He has also worked as a contracts manager for Southern Cross Insurance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121230223210/http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/auckland-new-mps/1192349/] ''The Aucklander'', 1 December 2011</ref>
O'Connor was the chairperson of Monarchy New Zealand between 2010 and 2012 and remains{{When|date=November 2023}} a board member.
==Political career== {{NZ parlbox header|align=left}} {{NZ parlbox |term=50th |start={{NZ election link year|2011}} |end=2014 |electorate=Tāmaki |list=62 |party=New Zealand National Party }} {{NZ parlbox |term=51st |start={{NZ election link year|2014}} |end=2017 |electorate=Tāmaki |list=43 |party=New Zealand National Party }} {{NZ parlbox |term=52nd |start={{NZ election link year|2017}} |end=2020 |electorate=Tāmaki |list=38 |party=New Zealand National Party }} {{NZ parlbox |term=53rd |start={{NZ election link year|2020}} |end=2023 |electorate=Tāmaki |list=35 |party=New Zealand National Party }} {{End}}O'Connor has been involved in the National Party since 2005.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} He was deputy chair of the party's Northern Region before seeking the National nomination for the Maungakiekie electorate in 2008. He lost the selection contest to Sam Lotu-Iiga, who went on to win the seat, but O'Connor was appointed as a list candidate for the 2008 general election, ranked 72nd.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/e9/html/e9_part3_1.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=Electoral Commission}}</ref>
He was selected as the party's candidate in the {{NZ electorate link|Tāmaki}} electorate following the withdrawal of sitting MP Allan Peachey shortly before the 2011 election and was elected to Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2011 |title=National Selects Simon O'Connor as Tamaki Candidate |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1110/S00460/national-selects-simon-oconnor-as-tamaki-candidate.htm |access-date=12 November 2011 |publisher=scoop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Official Count Results – Tāmaki |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-48.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=Electoral Commission}}</ref> In his first term, he was a member of the Education and Science committee and the Transport and Industrial Relations committee, and the deputy chair of the Finance and Expenditure committee.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=O'Connor, Simon – New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/oconnor-simon/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> O'Connor held his electorate at the 2014 general election. In his second term, he chaired the Health committee.<ref name=":0" /> During his tenure as chair, the committee ran an inquiry into euthanasia which did not propose any changes to the law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2023 |title=Euthanasia inquiry does not recommend law change |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/major-inquiry-on-voluntary-euthanasia-does-not-recommend-law-change/PHTLSA2GG76AS7W55EP2SPMMME/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
O'Connor was re-elected at both the 2017 general election and the 2020 general election.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tāmaki – Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-49.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116142347/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-49.html |archive-date=16 January 2020 |access-date=7 April 2020 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tāmaki – Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-49.html |access-date=13 November 2020 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}</ref> National was in opposition after these two elections. O'Connor held various National Party spokesperson roles during this period, including corrections (2017 to 2023), customs (2018 to 2023), arts, culture and heritage (2020 to 2023) and internal affairs (two separate periods in 2021 and 2023).<ref name=":0" /> He briefly resigned his portfolios in late 2021 when his brother-in-law, Simon Bridges, was demoted by National leader Judith Collins.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 November 2021 |title=Live: Simon Bridges demoted by National Party leader Judith Collins over allegation of misconduct – all the latest updates |work=Radio New Zealand |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/456496/live-simon-bridges-demoted-by-national-party-leader-judith-collins-over-allegation-of-misconduct-all-the-latest-updates |access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> He chaired the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee from 2017 to 2020 and was a member of the Justice committee from 2021 to 2023.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Audrey |date=12 February 2018 |title=Defence Minister switches view and expresses support for NZ deployment in Iraq |work=New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11993016 |access-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321132109/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11993016 |archive-date=21 March 2018}}</ref>
=== Defeat at the 2023 general election === On 30 September 2022, it was reported that three unknown people had launched campaigns to replace O'Connor as the National party's Tāmaki candidate at the 2023 New Zealand general election.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Harman |first=Richard |date=30 September 2022 |title="Taliban" National MP to face selection challenge |url=https://www.politik.co.nz/taliban-national-mp-to-face-selection-challenge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002082923/https://www.politik.co.nz/taliban-national-mp-to-face-selection-challenge/ |archive-date=2 October 2022 |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=Politik}}</ref> On 21 October, O'Connor's challengers were identified as lawyer Andrew Grant and restaurant proprietor Sang Cho. Grant had publicly opposed "tough on crime" rhetoric.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |date=21 October 2022 |title=National Party unveils Tāmaki seat challengers to Simon O'Connor |work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-party-unveils-tamaki-seat-challengers-to-simon-oconnor/2BHNIASJQ4NSBJCEO7E7XIT3GI/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021020321/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-party-unveils-tamaki-seat-challengers-to-simon-oconnor/2BHNIASJQ4NSBJCEO7E7XIT3GI/ |archive-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, the challenge was unsuccessful and O'Connor was confirmed as the National Party candidate for Tāmaki at a party meeting in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2022 |title=National MP Simon O'Connor has beaten a challenge for the party's candidacy in the Tamaki electorate |url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=365125&cat=978&fm=newsarticle+-+Politics,nur |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=NZCity}}</ref>
In late April 2023, ACT New Zealand confirmed that its deputy leader Brooke van Velden would be contesting O'Connor's Tāmaki electorate in a "two ticks" campaign during the 2023 general election. ACT leader David Seymour cited O'Connor's socially conservative views on abortion and euthanasia as factors in ACT's decision to seriously contest O'Connor's' seat.<ref>{{cite news |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=29 April 2023 |title=Act targets National's Simon O'Connor in bid for Tāmaki seat |work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-partys-brooke-van-velden-targets-national-partys-simon-oconnor-in-bid-for-tamaki-electorate/YFJVVUXNJNDNJKRTQZAPYSXX2I/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513143616/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-partys-brooke-van-velden-targets-national-partys-simon-oconnor-in-bid-for-tamaki-electorate/YFJVVUXNJNDNJKRTQZAPYSXX2I/ |archive-date=13 May 2023}}</ref> In August 2023, the National Party announced its party list for the election. O'Connor's position was 54th, down from 35th in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McConnell |first=Glenn |date=19 August 2023 |title=National Party announces election list, minus Michael Woodhouse |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132776437/national-party-announces-election-list-minus-michael-woodhouse |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> An opinion poll released on 2 October showed van Velden tied with O'Connor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2023 |title=Will Act win a second electorate? Poll shows Brooke van Velden closing gap in Tāmaki |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2023-act-partys-brooke-van-velden-hot-on-nats-simon-oconnors-heels-in-tamaki-electorate-poll/W45X53OQOJFCJPZJD62DDBNFEE/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> In the final result, van Velden was ahead by 4,158 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tāmaki – Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-49.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210215708/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-49.html|archive-date=10 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to O'Connor's low list ranking, he was not eligible to return to Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2023|title=Out of the blue: Act wins Tamaki electorate |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018911248/out-of-the-blue-act-wins-tamaki-electorate |access-date=27 October 2023 |work=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz}}</ref>
==Post-politics== ===Claims of PRC hacking===
In April 2024, the New Zealand signals intelligence agency the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) conceded that they had been aware that O'Connor had been targeted by China in an attempted computer hacking campaign – along with fellow former MP Loiusa Wall, and academic Professor Anne-Marie Brady – but had failed to brief any of the targets. O'Connor said he was disappointed that the GCSB had not told him and the other potential victims, as: "...I would have thought letting me know would have been a rather basic step in preventing any further incursions." O'Connor also expressed concern "...that much of this information eventually became public via the U.S. Department of Justice... yet New Zealand agencies still did not make contact with us [which] begs even further questions.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearse|first1=Adam|title=GCSB spy agency knew China-backed cyber attack targeted former MPs and didn't tell them|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/former-mps-angry-government-didnt-warn-them-they-were-targeted-in-china-backed-cyberattack/EBNYAK2G6BHIRDHZLLNJ5VHEXM/ |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=30 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521080956/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/former-mps-angry-government-didnt-warn-them-they-were-targeted-in-china-backed-cyberattack/EBNYAK2G6BHIRDHZLLNJ5VHEXM/|archive-date=21 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Minister Responsible for the GCSB, Hon Judith Collins KC, had earlier in March issued a statement attributing the compromise of Parliamentary Service and Parliamentary Counsel Office systems to the Chinese government-affiliated group APT40, describing the use of cyber espionage to "interfere with democratic and institutions..." as "unacceptable". Collins did not, however, name O'Connor, Wall, or Brady as intended targets at that time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliamentary network breached by the PRC |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/parliamentary-network-breached-prc |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521081022/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/parliamentary-network-breached-prc |archive-date=21 May 2024 |date=26 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===Conservative commentator and podcaster===
In an interview on internet broadcaster Reality Check Radio with former MP and minister Rodney Hide, O'Connor announced that he was affiliating with the conservative Christian lobby group Family First.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Rodney Hide and Simon O'Connor|date=7 May 2024|title=Simon O'Connor: On the Return of RCR, Media and Politics, and the news of joining the Family First team |type=Podcast |url=https://realitycheck.radio/replay/simon-oconnor-on-the-return-of-rcr-media-and-politics-and-the-news-of-joining-the-family-first-team/?swcfpc=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521084056/https://realitycheck.radio/replay/simon-oconnor-on-the-return-of-rcr-media-and-politics-and-the-news-of-joining-the-family-first-team/?swcfpc=1 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |publisher=Reality Check Radio}}</ref> Family First released on 14 May 2024 news that O'Connor would host a weekly, live podcast across multiple streaming platforms, entitled ''Solid Ground''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Solid Ground with Simon O'Connor |url=https://familyfirst.org.nz/2024/05/14/solid-ground-with-simon-oconnor-14th-may-2024/ |publisher=Family First New Zealand |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521082854/https://familyfirst.org.nz/2024/05/14/solid-ground-with-simon-oconnor-14th-may-2024/ |archive-date=21 May 2024 |date=14 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a promotional trailer for the programme, O'Connor said it was to enable a discussion based on: "good values, good ethics, good principles."<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Simon O'Connor|date=14 May 2024|title=Solid Ground – our new show with Simon O'Connor|type=YouTube video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM4w0f34OYw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522123307/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM4w0f34OYw%20|archive-date=22 May 2024 |publisher=Family First New Zealand}}</ref>
''The New Zealand Herald'' subsequently reported that O'Connor was scheduled to speak at the upcoming "UNSILENCED: Middle New Zealand on ideology" at Wellington's Tākina convention centre on 18 May alongside Family First Founder and National Director Bob McCoskrie and Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki. The Convention Centre is owned and operated by Te Papa Museum and the Wellington City Council. Protest groups Queer Endurance In Defiance and the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition denounced the conference for allegedly promoting transphobia and said it was contacting the Council in order to cancel the event on safety grounds. While Wellington City Council Māori Ward Councillor Nīkau Wi Neera called for the event's cancellation, Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling defended the conference on free speech grounds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Howwell |first1=Azaria |last2=Manera |first2=Ethan |title=Review under way into 'anti-trans' event being held at Wellington's Tākina Convention Centre |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/review-under-way-into-anti-trans-event-being-held-at-wellingtons-takina-convention-centre/O5DMJUHBPFFFLFGKUK5V3ZM4GQ/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514025215/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/review-under-way-into-anti-trans-event-being-held-at-wellingtons-takina-convention-centre/O5DMJUHBPFFFLFGKUK5V3ZM4GQ/ |archive-date=14 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following a safety review, Te Papa allowed the event to proceed, but said it would monitor the situation and expressed support for the LGBT community. O'Connor spoke at the Unsilenced conference alongside Tamaki and British activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (who participated via video-link). 360 people attended the Unsilenced conference while a protest organised by Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition and Queer Endurance in Defiance attracted 500 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds protest outside controversial conference in Wellington |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517158/hundreds-protest-outside-controversial-conference-in-wellington |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=RNZ |date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519174916/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517158/hundreds-protest-outside-controversial-conference-in-wellington |archive-date=19 May 2024}}</ref>
== Political positions == ===China=== In 2020, O'Connor became a co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an international group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China, and specifically, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1276168503096156163|user=ipacglobal|title=New Zealand joins #IPAC with Co-Chairs Simon O'Connor MP and Louisa Wall MP.}}</ref> In December 2020, he and fellow IPAC member Louisa Wall urged New Zealand to speak out against China's alleged "coercive diplomacy" and support Australia in the face of diplomatic and economic pressure from China.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |last2=Malpass |first2=Luke |date=3 December 2020 |title=Two MPs criticise China's 'coercive diplomacy' amid widening Australia stoush |work=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123574032/two-mps-criticise-chinas-coercive-diplomacy-amid-widening-australia-stoush |access-date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211022631/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123574032/two-mps-criticise-chinas-coercive-diplomacy-amid-widening-australia-stoush |archive-date=11 December 2021}}</ref> In August 2022, O'Connor, fellow IPAC member Labour MP Ingrid Leary, and other members from Australia, India and Japan launched a new local Indo-Pacific chapter to focus on increased Chinese militarisation in that region.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |date=22 August 2022 |title=Fearing China's militarisation of Pacific, NZ MPs set up anti-China group, open door to Taiwan |work=The New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/fearing-chinas-militarisation-of-pacific-nz-mps-set-up-anti-china-group-open-door-to-taiwan/LPYD4DJM3OZMOF6QHBRWACFRQI/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822082532/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/fearing-chinas-militarisation-of-pacific-nz-mps-set-up-anti-china-group-open-door-to-taiwan/LPYD4DJM3OZMOF6QHBRWACFRQI/ |archive-date=22 August 2022}}</ref>
O’Connor, while Chair of New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Committee joined with his counterpart committee chair counterparts from the United Kingdom (Tom Tugendhat), Canada (Michael Levitt), and Australia (David Fawcett) in writing a joint letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres asking that he appoint a special human rights envoy to monitor Hong Kong in light of the imposition of China’s new National Security Law.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canada-uk-australia-and-new-zealand-parliamentarians-urge-creation/ Parliamentarians in Canada, U.K., Australia, and New Zealand urge creation of UN special envoy for Hong Kong] 3 June 2020 ''The Globe and Mail''</ref>
During 2022, as IPAC co-chairs, O'Connor and Leary obtained information about the Solomon Islands-China Security Pact and raised concerns about Chinese military expansion in the Pacific.<ref>[https://newsroom.co.nz/2022/05/06/pacific-islands-need-to-respond-urgently-to-chinese-%20expansion/ Pacific Islands need to 'respond urgently' to Chinese expansion] 6 June 2022 ''Newsroom''</ref>
In 2023, O’Connor asked Parliamentary Written Questions seeking information on the deployment of Chinese made cameras in New Zealand government offices.<ref>[https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/written-%20questions/document/WQ_02350_2023/2350-2023-simon-oconnor-to-the-minister-of-foreign PQ2350 (2023) – Simon O'Connor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs] 17 February 2023 ''New Zealand Parliament''</ref> Subsequent reporting of the results indicated 120 cameras made by companies with links to the CCP, which had already been banned from British government buildings, were installed in New Zealand government premises – including in the home of an unnamed MP.<ref>Exclusive: [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/exclusive-china-made-cctv-cameras-found-in-home-of-new-zealand-mp-govt-departments/WFC65CMZJRERDEIILCXLV6OJU4/ CCTV cameras made by CCP-linked companies found in Govt departments, home of Kiwi MP, as allies remove Chinese tech] ''New Zealand Herald''</ref>
O’Connor wrote to representatives of Bytedance, owners of social media platform TikTok, asking about the privacy of New Zealanders' data. He subsequently welcomed the decision of the New Zealand Parliamentary Service to ban Tiktok on any devices connected to the parliamentary network over the risk of compromise the platform posed to sensitive data.<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/17/tech/new-zealand-to-ban-tiktok-at-parliament-intl-%20hnk/index.html New Zealand joins US push to curb TikTok use on official phones with parliament ban]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 17 March 2023 ''CNN Business''</ref>
Media reported that O’Connor was involved with assisting a defector from the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland, reportedly the first such defector to New Zealand since the end of the Cold War.<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chinese-defector-if-you-send-me-back-to-%20the-consulate-i-will-die/BDC6W4WVGJHXPJFGWYWQBYSFLY/ ‘If you send me back I will die’: Dramatic escape for first defector to NZ since Cold War] 11 March 2023 ''New Zealand Herald''</ref>
While co-chairing IPAC, O'Connor called for the government to rule out the extradition of New Zealand nationals to China; to set up a special visa scheme for Hong Kongers; and to initiate investigations into the treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province of China.<ref>[https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/08/08/parliaments-china-odd-couple/ Parliament's odd couple on China: 'We have our deeply-held positions'] 8 August 2021 ''Newsroom''</ref>
===Taiwan=== O’Connor has been a vocal supporter of Taiwan. In March 2023, he set up the first All Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan within the New Zealand Parliament, being inaugural co-chair along with Labour's Ingrid Leary and involving around 15 other MPs.<ref>[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131636520/parliamentarians-start-taiwan-friendship-group-despite-new-zealands-one-china-policy Parliamentarians start Taiwan friendship group, despite New Zealand's 'one China' policy] ''Stuff'' 30 March 2023</ref> In November 2023, O'Connor was invited by the Taiwanese government to visit Taipei and meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, and other senior political representatives as part of the Indo-Pacific Formosa Club initiative.<ref>[https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5046569 Formosa club delegation visited Taiwan for sustainable development talks] ''Taiwan News'' 24 November 2023</ref>
===International human rights=== O’Connor repeatedly called for New Zealand to introduce a Magnitsky-style sanctions regime in New Zealand. He worked closely with Bill Browder – Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign – and was acknowledged for his efforts by Browder in his book ''Freezing Order.'' <ref>[https://newsroom.co.nz/2021/07/05/nz-encouraged-to-move-on-magnitsky-law-sanctions/ NZ encouraged to move on 'Magnitsky law' sanctions] 5 July 2021 ''Newsroom''</ref>
O’Connor also joined with Labour MP Louisa Wall in calling for New Zealand to introduce modern slavery legislation. During the 53rd Parliament O'Connor tabled, as a member bill, his Modern Slavery Reporting Bill.<ref>[https://www.parliament.nz/media/9121/modern-slavery-reporting-bill.pdf Modern Slavery Reporting Bill] ''New Zealand Parliament'' Bill 9121</ref> This measure was not drawn from the ballot.
In 2022, O'Connor joined other elected representatives from around the world in Washington DC as part of the Interparliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism. At hearings, he and other representatives questioned Meta, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok about removing antisemitic content from their digital platforms.<ref>[https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2887 Interparliamentary Task Force To Combat Online Antisemitism Members Press Tech Leaders to Step Up Efforts to Remove Hate, Better Moderate Platforms] 16 September 2022 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Dem.), 25th Congressional District, ''U.S. House of Representatives''</ref>
In June 2023, O’Connor welcomed the Tibetan Sikyong (democratically elected leader-in-exile), Penpa Tsering, to the New Zealand Parliament and hosted a lunch for him with several other Members of Parliament. Tsering expressed disappointment that Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta had refused to meet him.<ref>[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/492214/tibet-s-leader-in-exile-dismayed-by-lack-of-state-%20meeting-on-first-visit-to-nz Tibet's leader-in-exile dismayed by lack of state meeting on first visit to NZ] 18 June 2023 ''Radio NZ''</ref>
Later in 2023, O’Connor challenged the Iranian Ambassador to New Zealand Reza Nazarahari over the violent repression of protests when the Ambassador attended a select committee hearing at Parliament. O'Connor criticised Iran's detention of two New Zealanders, Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray, who were held for nearly four months without charge before being released.<ref>[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/495086/mps-confront-iran-s-ambassador-to-new-zealand-over-protest-crackdowns MPs confront Iran's Ambassador to New Zealand over protest crackdowns] 3 August 2023 ''Radio NZ''</ref> O'Connor also joined several protests against the regime's brutal crackdowns organised by Iranians in New Zealand.<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/forough-amin-iran-protests-reveal-nz-politics-has-flipped/3O4KMZYJBRENBCVF4A5EX2Z5XA/ Forough Amin: Iran protests reveal NZ politics has flipped] 18 October 2022 ''The New Zealand Herald''</ref>
===Conscience votes===
O'Connor voted conservatively on most conscience issues, although he opposed raising the drinking age back to 20 in 2012 and he supported the introduction of Easter Sunday trading.
His votes on significant conscience matters were:
* against raising the drinking age from 18 in 2012; * against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill in 2013, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand;<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878241|title=Gay marriage: How MPs voted |date=18 April 2013 |work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> * against changing the flag of New Zealand during the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums;<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2015 |title=National MP rejects flag change |work=Stuff.co.nz |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71120992/National-MP-rejects-flag-change |access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> * in support of a bill to allow Easter Sunday trading in 2016;<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last=First |first=Family |title=Value Your Vote – 2017 General Election |url=http://valueyourvote.org.nz/2017-general-election/VALUE+YOUR+VOTE+2017+FINAL.pdf |access-date=26 May 2018 |website=Valueyourvote.org.nz}}</ref> * against the End of Life Choice Bill in 2017 and 2019;<ref name="auto" /> * against the Abortion Legislation Bill in 2019 and 2020; and * against the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill in 2022.
On 10 September 2017, two weeks before the general election and on World Suicide Prevention Day, O'Connor criticised then-Labour leader Jacinda Ardern for being "concerned about youth suicide" but being "happy to encourage the suicide of the elderly, disabled, and sick" by way of her support of the End of Life Choice Bill.<ref name="Shub1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/jacinda-ardern-wants-old-disabled-to-kill-themselves-national-mp-claims.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911204323/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/09/jacinda-ardern-wants-old-disabled-to-kill-themselves-national-mp-claims.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2017 |title=Jacinda Ardern wants old, disabled to commit suicide, National MP claims|newspaper=Newshub |date=10 September 2017|access-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>
In March 2020, he attracted attention for a statement he made as part of his speech in opposition to the third reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill, where he repeated a quotation from the Bible in Latin: "Mihi vindicta: ego retribuam, dicit Dominus," which is translated as "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” <ref>{{cite web |last1=Harman |first1=Richard |title=Vengeance is mine saith the Lord |url=https://www.politik.co.nz/2020/03/19/vengeance-is-mine-saith-the-lord/ |publisher=Politik |access-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102083657/https://www.politik.co.nz/2020/03/19/vengeance-is-mine-saith-the-lord/ |archive-date=2 November 2020 |date=19 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In late June 2022, O'Connor published a Facebook post welcoming the United States Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. He subsequently removed the post after National Party leader Christopher Luxon stated that the post was "causing distress" and did not represent the party's position on abortion.<ref>{{cite news |title=National MP removes post following Roe v Wade decision |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/469788/national-mp-removes-post-following-roe-v-wade-decision |access-date=26 June 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626020916/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/469788/national-mp-removes-post-following-roe-v-wade-decision |archive-date=26 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the controversy around O'Connor's post, several Tāmaki residents called for O'Connor to resign as their Member of Parliament.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Armah |first1=Mildred |title=Roe v Wade: Constituents call for Simon O'Connor to resign after social media post |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129105189/roe-v-wade-constituents-call-for-simon-oconnor-to-resign-after-social-media-post |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=Stuff |date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630095227/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129105189/roe-v-wade-constituents-call-for-simon-oconnor-to-resign-after-social-media-post |archive-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> By contrast, former National MP Alfred Ngaro defended O'Connor's freedom of expression and accused Luxon of silencing National MPs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |title=Roe v Wade abortion decision: Former National MP Alfred Ngaro criticises Christopher Luxon's gagging order |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/roe-v-wade-abortion-decision-former-national-mp-alfred-ngaro-criticises-christopher-luxons-gagging-order/HB6B5FOKD22K67EIF53QNOMEZM/ |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629202130/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/roe-v-wade-abortion-decision-former-national-mp-alfred-ngaro-criticises-christopher-luxons-gagging-order/HB6B5FOKD22K67EIF53QNOMEZM/ |archive-date=29 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 June, O'Connor apologised to his National Party colleagues for the hurt and distress that his Facebook post had caused. He denied that he had been "gagged" by Luxon and explained that he had offered to taken down the post because it had attracted " toxic and unhealthy" comments.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Russell |title=Simon O'Connor apologises to fellow National MPs over abortion post |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/469937/simon-o-connor-apologises-to-fellow-national-mps-over-abortion-post |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701011827/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/469937/simon-o-connor-apologises-to-fellow-national-mps-over-abortion-post |archive-date=1 July 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life== On 10 December 2016, O'Connor married Rachel Trimble, the sister of fellow National MP Simon Bridges,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/87427846/paula-bennett-has-won-the-battle-for-deputy-prime-minister-and-will-team-up-with-bill-english | title=Paula Bennett has won the battle for deputy Prime Minister and will team up with Bill English | date=10 December 2016 | work=Stuff | access-date=10 December 2016 | first=Jo | last=Moir}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11588346 | title=National MP Simon O'Connor to marry Minister Simon Bridges' sister | date=12 February 2016 | work=Bay of Plenty Times | access-date=10 December 2016 | first=Nicholas | last=Jones}}</ref> and has five stepchildren.
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|Politics|New Zealand}} *{{official website|http://www.simon.org.nz/}} *[http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current/51MP3301/oconnor-simon Profile] at the New Zealand Parliament website * [https://anchor.fm/on-point-simon-oconnor On Point] podcast
{{s-start}} {{s-par | nz}} {{s-bef | before = Allan Peachey }} {{s-ttl | title = Member of Parliament for Tāmaki | years = 2011–2023}} {{s-aft | after = Brooke van Velden}} {{end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnor, Simon}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand National Party MPs Category:New Zealand Roman Catholics Category:New Zealand MPs for Auckland electorates Category:New Zealand monarchists Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2008 New Zealand general election Category:Candidates in the 2011 New Zealand general election Category:Candidates in the 2014 New Zealand general election Category:Candidates in the 2017 New Zealand general election Category:Candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 2023 New Zealand general election