Introduction
Simon David O'Connor MP (born 25 February 1976) is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the National Party.
Early life
O'Connor completed training to be a Catholic priest but did not seek ordination. He completed four degrees and worked as a contracts manager for Southern Cross Insurance.
He was the chairperson of Monarchy New Zealand between 2010 and 2012.
Political career
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 2011–2014 | 50th | Tāmaki | 62 | National |
| 2014–present | 51st | Tāmaki | 43 | National |
O'Connor was a Deputy Chair of the Northern Region of the National Party prior to seeking the National Party nomination for Maungakiekie in 2008. He was unsuccessful, losing the selection contest to Sam Lotu-Iiga, who went on to win the seat. However, O'Connor was appointed a list candidate for National in the 2008 general election. At 72nd on the list, he was not elected to Parliament.
In the 2010 Auckland local elections, he stood for the Waitemata Local Board on the Citizens & Ratepayers ticket. He came tenth in this seven member electorate.
O'Connor was selected by National as their candidate in the Tāmaki electorate following the sudden withdrawal of sitting MP Allan Peachey shortly before the 2011 elections.
O'Connor voted against the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in New Zealand.
In August 2015, O'Connor uploaded a Facebook video in which he looked at the 40 alternative flag designs shortlisted by the Flag Consideration Panel and responded with "no" to each flag until he turned to the current flag and said "yes".
Personal life
On 10 December 2016, O'Connor married Rachel Trimble, the sister of fellow National MP Simon Bridges. A trained engineer, and science and mathematics teacher, Trimble has five children from a previous marriage.