Representation Commission chairman Judge Kevin Kelly on proposed electorate boundaries changes. Video / Mark Mitchell
Labour MP Greg O’Connor has decided to stay in politics following the abolition of his Ōhāriu electorate, saying he will seek a spot on the party’s list ahead of this year’s election.
After failing to secure candidacy in the new Wellington North seat against Ayesha Verrall, O’Connor is now eyeingthe Speaker’s seat.
The third-term MP earlier told the Herald he would be considering his political future over summer.
He today said he has “got a lot left to offer”, and he is “very keen to be considered for Speaker if and when Labour form the next government”.
It comes after Labour’s former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe announced his retirement today ahead of the election.
O’Connor, who currently serves as an Assistant Speaker and previously held the Deputy Speaker role, said he had been speaking to Rurawhe over summer about his plans, and believed he also had the support of Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
“Obviously everything’s a moving target, but certainly I’ve had discussions with [Hipkins] and he’s indicated that it’s something he’d be very well disposed towards.”
Speaking to media this afternoon Hipkins said O’Connor would be a“very strong contender” for the Speaker role.
O’Connor said he had been in the deputy and assistant roles for five years.
“I think I’ve learned enough about the role, I feel like I’ve almost done an apprenticeship and that’s a way that I can contribute to the smooth running and giving people confidence in Parliament,” he said.
Greg O'Connor has previously served as Parliament's 11th Deputy Speaker. Photo / Parliament TV
O’Connor said while Labour’s list ranking process is more complicated than the election of a new Pope, he was hopeful his track record would secure him a winnable spot.
In the past two elections he had opted against going on the party’s list, running electorate-only in his Ōhāriu seat, where he beat National’s Nicola Willis in 2023.
Prior to O’Connor, Peter Dunne held the seat for more than three decades throughout various changes.
O’Connor said despite the scrapping of his electorate he would continue to contribute to the community.
“I‘m still going to be there and available in what would be now three parts,” he said.
A former cop, O’Connor previously worked as the president of the Police Association. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Wellington Central lost those suburbs and moved northwards into the hill suburbs of Wadestown, Ngaio, and Khandallah. It will be renamed Wellington North.
The Hutt South electorate expanded to take in part of Newlands, while Remutaka moved southward to incorporate a small area around Epuni.
The commission was required to reduce the number of electorates in the North Island by one, due to a change in population data at the last Census.
The changes officially come into place at this year’s election.
Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.
