Simon O'Connor: Reflections from the ED

A recent trip to the emergency department, and a longer stay in hospital, had me thinking about the current debate around cultural competency and indigenous knowledge.

I recently had an unexpected visit to Auckland’s emergency department, followed by a longer stay in hospital. It seems I may have brought back more than memories from a recent overseas trip.

Before anyone panics, I should immediately add that I’m now fully recovered and pose no risk to anyone. If that weren’t the case, I’d probably still be locked away in the isolation room where my hospital journey began.

Simon O'Connor: Rinse, Repeat, Revolt

Why National's latest leadership drama is not an ending, but another chapter in an unresolved political struggle.

Back in April, I wrote a Substack titled Rinse and Repeat about National’s attempted leadership spill. Four months later, the same dynamics are playing out once again: another leadership challenge, another ‘victory’ for Chris Luxon, another distraction for National, and little sign that the underlying causes have been addressed.

Rinse and repeat  Simon O'Connor  22 Apr

Simon O'Connor: Foreign interference is very real in New Zealand

I recently gave a speech to MPs, academics, journalists, and the general public on foreign interference in New Zealand, sharing some real and personal stories of mine.

This is not my regular Substack. It is a copy of a speech I recently gave to those attending a symposium on foreign interfernce, hosted by the Tasman Alliance and co-sponsored by the Free Speech Union and New Zealand Values Alliance. It was a gathering of academics, Members of Parliament, journalists, ambassadors, influencers, and the general public.

Free to believe

Simon O'Connor: Muddled multiculturalism

After travelling through Morocco and Portugal, and attending conferences in London, I found myself asking a simple question: can a nation remain coherent if it no longer believes in its own culture?

Multiculturalism has failed. In fact, multiculturalism will – by definition – always fail. A society cannot indefinitely sustain competing cultural norms on fundamental questions of law, rights, and social order.

Simon O'Connor: It's already a failure

I'm prepared to say it now, even before the full text is released, but the framework to end the conflict between Iran and the United States is a already a failure.

I’ve not seen the full text of the agreement between the Islamic Regime and the United States, but I’m prepared already to call it a failure.

At best, this is just the start of a temporary ceasefire. This is not a peace agreement or anything remotely close. It is a memorandum of understanding – an agreement to discuss things further.

Simon O'Connor: China's bullying on full display

China's decision to sanction New Zealand MPs for visiting Taiwan is outrageous, yet how New Zealand's parliament and political leadership responds will be even more insightful and important.

This is a joint opinion piece written by myself and Louisa Wall. She and I are both former Members of Parliament, and the founding co-chairs in New Zealand for the Interparliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

As I share on Substack today, The Post have kindly shared our thoughts while other legacy media outlets have chosen to ignore.

The sanctioning of four New Zealand Members of Parliament for visiting Taiwan is a matter of serious concern, not simply for those individuals, but for the integrity and independence of New Zealand’s democratic institutions.

Simon O'Connor: We are being misled

I explore three of the ways many in media manipulate stories and, as Sir Roger Scruton once noted, effectively censor what people read and hear.

I’m a big fan of the late Sir Roger Scruton. He was a powerful conservative voice, and among many writings, he warned of the censorship happening to conservative voices. In 2019 he said:

Simon O'Connor: Be prepared

The fraying of the international rules-based order and various conflicts - either happening now or possible in the future - should see New Zealand preparing now. There are no excuses for inaction.

During a recent visit by the US President to Beijing, President Xi of China made it clear that Taiwan must become part of China. Xi has frequently talked of Taiwan as part of China, and that it will eventually be reunited including by military force if necessary.

Simon O'Connor: Where has the far-left gone?

Precision in language is important. Calling anyone slightly right of the moderate left - 'far right' - while rarely challenging those clearly on the far-left, is degrading our democracy.

Do you believe in law and order? Believe that being proud of your country is a good thing, and that managing who migrates here is prudent? Think children having a mum and dad is preferable? Can you define what a woman is? Are you perhaps skeptical of climate change alarmism or believe in free speech?

Well, congratulations, you are officially far-right according to various media commentators. Some would even term you ‘right right’, which is a rather odd expression, but this was literally the term a political commentator from Australia used when being interviewed on One News.

Simon O'Connor: Hamlet and the NZ media

Some journalists recent behaviour; legal threats; hidden stories; and an ideologically captured regulator. The state of New Zealand's media is akin to a Shakespearean tragedy.


To badly quote Marcellus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 4) - there is something rotten with the state of our mainstream media and its wider ecosystem.

Whether it is the behaviour of some reporters; the increasing use of lawyers by the media; or the actions of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) – the Fourth Estate is like the proverbial leviathan, eating itself.

Simon O'Connor: Rinse and repeat

National's current woes are not unique to them as a political party, but instead indicative of cultural and structural problems within New Zealand's political landscape.

Another week, another round of speculation on the leadership of the National Party. As I write, the latest iteration has been put to bed with Christopher Luxon calling a vote on his leadership and winning.

Simon O'Connor: A fragile President and ceasefire

Some reflections on Donald Trump's recent comments and the somewhat ceasefire in the Middle East


Please note, events are moving very fast in the Middle East and changing almost as fast as I can write a paragraph. The ceasefire, for example, has already been breached as Iran continues to fire ordinance at Gulf States and the Strait of Hormuz is once again blocked. To that end, be aware some aspects of this Substack may soon be out of date.

There’s a ceasefire in the Middle East, somewhat. The details are sketchy and only time will tell if it holds for two weeks or longer.

Simon O'Connor: BSA - Ideologically compromised?

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) decision to include online broadcasting under its jurisdiction is an overreach, ideological, but also part of a global push to control speech.

So the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has just granted itself more powers, notably to empower the complaining class an opportunity to harass those online sharing their views.

Simon O'Connor: Of fuel and fury

How can a government ministry blatantly fund political and 'furious' activism, yet there be so little media scrutiny? And why the fuel crisis should have been anticipated.

One of the striking aspects around modern media is not so much the bias that various outlets pursue, but deliberate ignoring of stories and perspectives of importance.

Simon O'Connor: A lost opportunity

The Royal Commission report into Covid was an opportunity for people's voices to be heard. Sadly, it has failed, preferencing power over humanity.

When people are hurt or feel an injustice has been done to them, one of the ways to assist the healing process is to ensure they have been heard and listened to. Importantly, they need to see and hear that they’ve been heard.

I recall one person coming into my electorate office early on in my parliamentary career with a rather complex and fraught situation, and as they spoke my mind was racing as to what I could do to solve the issue. As they finished and were about to leave, I frankly admitted that I did not know what could be done but that I would consider further. Their reply has always stayed with me – “Oh, I know there is nothing you can do, but I wanted to talk and be heard. And I was, thank you.”

Simon O'Connor: The failing international rules based order

Other than in the minds of UN junkies and some academics, the international rules based order has not been functioning properly for a long time.

This is an opinion piece I wrote recently and submitted to the NZ Herald but they have chosen not to publish (which is their right), ironically as they give their front page over to the views of Helen Clark.

We have heard much of the rules-based order and international law since the United States and Israel acted against the Islamic regime in Iran. From Helen Clark to Phil Goff, various academics and commentators, these terms roll of the tongue with an assured certainty.

Simon O'Connor: We no longer recognise evil

As the Islamic regime in Iran begins to crumble, it is clear from comments of some politicians, academics, and activists that they no longer can discern between good and evil, right and wrong.

As United States and Israeli air strikes continue to decapitate the leaders and degrade the facilities of the Islamic regime - who for decades have held the Iranian people hostage to their mad religious ideology – I wanted to share a few reflections.

Simon O'Connor: Control, curate, and censor

The motivations to stop using X - be it media or now the Clerk of New Zealand's parliament - are couched in moral terms by opponents, but it's all really about control, curation, and censorship.

In what I can only describe as a rather poorly considered, and mostly likely politically motivated action - unconsciously or otherwise – the Clerk of New Zealand’s Parliament has decided that the Parliament will no longer use the social media site X (formerly Twitter).

Simon O'Connor: Free Jimmy Lai

A good man is going to die in a Hong Kong prison for believing in freedom and democracy. His name is Jimmy Lai

So, Hong Konger Jimmy Lai is going to die in prison – a martyr for democracy, freedom, and faith. This might sound a bit dramatic, but if you know the story of Jimmy Lai, you will understand why I describe things as such. The story is also personal, having found myself named in this sham court case and my words used against Jimmy.

Simon O'Connor: Bridging inconsistency

It seems some in society are happy to accept inconsistency based on political preference. Got a far left or progressive cause - then all is well. Have a centre or right wing view, to bad for you.

Consistency. Not the most exciting word in the English dictionary, but an attribute I place a high value on. As some of you may know, philosophy is one of my great loves and I think the merit or otherwise of ideas can often be tested by consistency.