Simon O'connor

Big changes are coming that could affect the planning and the future face of the Auckland region, including the housing landscape. Aucklanders have been able to have their say on the council's… Audio

The Chinese foreign minister is expected to push a region-wide security deal, which was first revealed in leaked draft documents.

Samoa and the Solomon Islands have already inked bilateral agreements… Audio

China remains our top trading partner with two-way trade exceeding NZ$33 billion. Susie Ferguson spoke to National Party Simon O'Connor, who is a member Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade… Audio

The budget wasn’t the only thing at Parliament this week. There was also legislation on surrogacy, free speech, political conflicts of interest, and sexual harassment. Audio

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) wants Pacific Island nations to respond urgently to China's assertive interest in the Pacific.

To explain the international group's concerns, IPAC… Audio

The main event at Parliament might be a very long set-piece debate, but the bills being debated are all scene stealers. Audio

National MP Simon O'Connor says Judith Collins must resign after late night drama on Wednesday.

Collins released a statement at 9:30pm on Wednesday announcing the demotion of Simon Bridges over… Audio

The Resource Management Act (Enabling Housing Supply) Amendment Bill was a surprise announcement last month - a rare cross-party agreement designed to speed up the building of new houses. Submissions… Audio

So how are Aucklanders feeling about the latest government move?

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, the National Party's Tamaki MP Simon O'Connor and Māori Party spokesperson John Tamihere spoke… Audio

Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti has asked the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historic Abuse in Care to be more transparent about its finances.

It comes just months after Treasury was roped in… Audio

This week’s Question Times in Parliament had a recurring theme, familiar target but more variations than you might expect.     Audio

The waitlist for public housing has hit a record high - reaching nearly 14,500 households.

The recently-released figure - recorded at the end of November - has almost tripled from the roughly 6,000… Audio

The growing popularity of ethical and responsible investing appears to be being felt in investment fund decisions and company behaviour. Audio

Figures released to First Up under the Official Information Act have revealed 182 state house tenants and their families were evicted from their homes in Tamaki to make way for a new housing… Audio

There is in fact a lot of war at Parliament, and not just at question time. Somewhere there’s probably a sword, after-all there’s a mace and a mighty pen.  Audio

The New Zealand government is inviting people and agencies from around the Pacific region to have their say on how the aid programme can improve. Audio

Adhering to responsible investing principles is expected to become a mandatory practice for fund managers in future rather than just a nice-to-have for clients. Audio