Damien O'Connor

Damien Peter O'Connor (born 16 January 1958) is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who currently serves as Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Minister for Land Information and Minister for Rural Communities in the Sixth Labour Government. He previously served as a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government. He has been a member of Parliament since 1993 and currently represents the West Coast-Tasman electorate.

The Honourable
Damien O'Connor
MP
34th Minister of Agriculture
Assumed office
26 October 2017
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byVacant (last held by David Carter)
Minister for Biosecurity
Assumed office
26 October 2017
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byVacant (last held by David Carter)
13th Minister for Trade and Export Growth
Assumed office
6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byDavid Parker
17th Minister for Land Information
Assumed office
6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byEugenie Sage
Minister for Rural Communities
In office
26 October 2017 – 1 February 2023
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byOffice Created
Succeeded byKieran McAnulty
Minister for Food Safety
In office
26 October 2017 – 6 November 2020
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Preceded byDavid Bennett
Succeeded byAyesha Verrall
33rd Minister of Tourism
In office
19 October 2005 – 19 November 2008
Prime MinisterHelen Clark
Succeeded byJohn Key
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for West Coast-Tasman
Assumed office
26 November 2011
Preceded byChris Auchinvole
In office
12 October 1996 – 8 November 2008
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byChris Auchinvole
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Labour Party list
In office
1 May 2009 – 26 November 2011
Preceded byMichael Cullen[n 1]
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for West Coast
In office
6 November 1993 – 12 October 1996
Preceded byMargaret Moir
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born (1958-01-16) 16 January 1958
Westport, New Zealand
Political partyLabour
RelationsGreg O'Connor (cousin)
Alma materLincoln University

Early years

O'Connor was born in Westport in 1958.[1] He attended primary school in his home town before going on to St Bede's College, Christchurch, a Roman Catholic school, and Lincoln University.[2]

Before becoming an MP, he worked in a variety of jobs in farming and tourism. During a five-year stint in Australia, he worked as a machinery operator and in sales. On his return to New Zealand he established Buller Adventure Tours, an adventure tourism company, which he owned and operated in a partnership.[2]

Member of Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
1993–1996 44th West Coast Labour
1996–1999 45th West Coast-Tasman 32 Labour
1999–2002 46th West Coast-Tasman none Labour
2002–2005 47th West Coast-Tasman none Labour
2005–2008 48th West Coast-Tasman none Labour
2009–2011 49th List 37 Labour
2011–2014 50th West Coast-Tasman none Labour
2014–2017 51st West Coast-Tasman 22 Labour
2017–2020 52nd West Coast-Tasman 18 Labour
2020–present 53rd West Coast-Tasman 14 Labour

Fourth National Government, 1993–1999

He was first elected to Parliament in the 1993 election,[2] recapturing the West Coast seat for Labour after the upset victory of National's Margaret Moir in the 1990 election.[2]

When Helen Clark successfully challenged Mike Moore for the party leadership after the election, O'Connor supported Moore. Later, he said in 2018 that this had set his career back.[3] Unlike other MPs who entered Parliament in 1993, O'Connor was not named a minister in Clark's first ministry in 1999. He was, however, appointed as chair of the Primary Production select committee.

He won the reconfigured West Coast-Tasman seat in the 1996 election, and was the MP for the electorate until he lost it to National's Chris Auchinvole during the 2008 election.[3]

Fifth Labour Government, 1999–2008

After the 2002 election he was appointed an associate minister in four portfolios: agriculture, health, racing and rural affairs. He succeeded Annette King as Minister for Racing in a 2003 reshuffle.[4]

After the 2005 election, in what would become the final term of the Fifth Labour Government, O'Connor was promoted to be Minister of Corrections and Minister of Tourism. He lost the Corrections role in 2007, following calls for his resignation over the previous year over the murder of Liam Ashley in a prison van[5] and a scandal where he was found to have brought a suspended prison officer on a parliamentary rugby tour.[6][7]

Fifth National Government, 2008–2017

At the 2008 general election, the Labour government was defeated by the National Party and O'Connor lost the West-Coast Tasman electorate to National Party list MP Chris Auchinvole by 971 votes.[8] At this election O'Connor also stood as a list candidate for the first time since 1996; however, his position of 37 was too low for him to return to Parliament as a Labour Party list MP immediately. O'Connor eventually returned to Parliament after the retirement of former deputy leader Michael Cullen in May 2009.[9] He retook West-Coast Tasman for Labour in 2011 and has held the seat since, defending challenges from former Westland District Mayor Maureen Pugh in 2014 and 2017.[10]

In Opposition between 2009 and 2017, O'Connor held various spokesperson roles including agriculture, biosecurity, fisheries, food safety, primary industries and rural affairs.[11]

Sixth Labour Government, 2017–2023

When the Labour Party formed a coalition government with New Zealand First in 2017, O'Connor was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Food Safety, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister (later Minister of State) for Trade and Export Growth. An early challenge for O'Connor in the Agriculture portfolio was managing the 2017 Mycoplasma bovis outbreak, opting to attempt eradication to save the projected $1.3 billion cost in lost production to the industry over 10 years, with ongoing productivity losses across the farming sector.[12][13][14] On Agriculture, O'Connor has said there is a new “collective wisdom through generational change in farming, which means we are more closely aligned than some on the fringes wish to portray’’.[15]

During the 2020 general election, O'Connor was re-elected in West Coast-Tasman by a final margin of 6,208 votes, defeating National's candidate Maureen Pugh.[16] In early November 2020, O'Connor maintained his Agriculture, Biosecurity, and Rural Communities ministerial portfolios while becoming the lead Minister for Trade and Export Growth and assuming the Land Information ministerial portfolio.[17]

O'Connor has led various trade negotiations across the world in his role as Minister for Trade and Export Growth, including an historic $1.8 Billion EU Free Trade Agreement in 2022.[18] O'Connor was the Facilitator of the Fishing Subsidy negotiations at the 12th World Trade Organisation Conference and delivered an agreement with new rules barring countries from subsidising illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.[19]

At the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum ministers’ meeting, O'Connor joined a staged walkout when the Russian Minister spoke, with the shared statement including “We condemn in the strongest terms, the unprovoked war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine."[20]

In late January 2021, O'Connor drew media attention when he stated during an interview with CNBC's Asia Squawk Box "Australia "should follow us [New Zealand] and show respect to China." His comments came at a time of heightened Australian-China tensions relating to Australian legislation targeting foreign investment and Chinese trade sanctions against Australia. O'Connor's remarks were criticised as unhelpful to Australia and "at odds with reality" by Liberal MP Dave Sharma.[21] While the Chinese state-owned newspaper Global Times praised Wellington's perceived openness towards Beijing, O'Connor's remarks were criticised by Victoria University of Wellington academic Robert Ayson, International Service for Human Rights director Phil Lynch and Human Rights Watch director Elaine Person for implying that New Zealand was prioritising trade with China over human rights.[22] O'Connor has since said it is important New Zealand does not send ministers to the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, stating "we've been very strong on those issues around human rights and unnecessary discrimination. We should continue to do that."[23]

In early July 2023, O'Connor accompanied Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to Brussels for the signing of the New Zealand-European free trade agreement. He described the agreement as a "bloody good deal" that had involved several years of tough negotiations.[24]

Political views

O'Connor is regarded as an "economic dry" on the right of the Labour Party.[2] His approach to life and politics in New Zealand is very “upfront and honest’’.[15]

In April 2011 O'Connor attracted criticism from Labour Party leader Phil Goff after describing the list MP selection process as being run by "self-serving unionists and a gaggle of gays."[25] O'Connor was disappointed the system did not deliver better results for rural and provincial candidates, such as himself, who were outside the party's power blocs, and apologised for his comments.[26] He is a staunch advocate for the rural and provincial people with strong family ties to the Labour Party's establishment.

He has stated that the “timing and decisions’’ on some of Parliament’s conscience votes may have portrayed him as something else, but that’s “a long way from the truth’’.[15] In 2012, he was one of four Labour MPs who voted against the Marriage Amendment Bill, which permitted same sex marriage in New Zealand.[27] He has since attended the Pride Parade in London with his daughter who, in 2012, publicly challenged him on his vote stating "Why should they be denied the same human right everyone else is entitled to just because they love someone the same sex?"[28]

In 2014, O'Connor voted with the governing National Party (and against the Labour Party) to support the West Coast Windblown Timber Bill, which allowed the Government to recover storm-blow timber on the West Coast following Cyclone Ita.[29]

O'Connor does not oppose euthanasia, but has voted cautiously on the matter to ensure legislation is strong enough to protect society's most vulnerable. He voted against Michael Laws' Death with Dignity Bill in 1995,[30] Peter Brown's Death with Dignity Bill in 2003[31] and David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill in 2019.[32] He also opposed the Abortion Legislation Bill in 2020, but voted in favour in its first reading.[33] He has since stated he "absolutely do[es] support New Zealand's laws on abortion" and, relating to the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States, said "what we see coming from the US is clearly disturbing and shocking".[15] O'Connor has stated he believes in a woman's right to choose without judgement, but believed the bill required a "technical protection" for the premises of gender or disability.[34][15]

Business activities

O'Connor is past president of the Buller Promotion Association, a member of the West Coast Tourism Development Group, a member of the West Coast Business Development Board and a founding director of Buller Community Development Company. He also won West Coast Young Farmer of the Year.[12]

Personal life

O'Connor separated from his wife Vicky after twelve years of marriage in 2004. The couple had four children.[35] He has a daughter with his new partner, Sharon Flood.[3] Labour Party MP for Ōhāriu and former Police Association president Greg O'Connor is his cousin.[36][37]

Notes
  1. Normally, list MPs do not have individual predecessors or successors, but Cullen resigned during a sitting parliament and therefore was succeeded by O'Connor.

References
  1. "New Zealand Official Yearbook 1997". Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  2. "Damien O'Connor - a Coaster through and through". The New Zealand Herald. 30 March 2001. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  3. Vance, Andrea (9 June 2018). "Helen Clark coup set my career back". Stuff. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020.
  4. Scott, Annette (27 October 2017). "O'Connor's 24-year wait is over". Farmers Weekly. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  5. Berry, Ruth (11 February 2007). "And no time off for good behaviour for Damien O'Connor". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  6. Jacobson, Julie (8 September 2007). "Minister's rugby trouble". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  7. "Clark's cabinet reshuffle - big, but not bold". Newshub. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  8. "Official Count Results – West Coast-Tasman". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  9. "O'Connor to return to Parliament". Radio New Zealand. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009.
  10. Mathewson, Nicole; Stylianou, Georgina; Fulton, Tim (21 September 2014). "Election 2014: Canterbury decides". The Press. Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  11. "Hon Damien O'Connor". New Zealand Parliament. 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  12. "Coaster and new minister has farming in his blood". Stuff. 25 October 2017. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020.
  13. "West Coast-Tasman - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  14. "The fight against mycoplasma bovis". RNZ. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  15. "Trade minister's 'confusing and muddled' new world". Newsroom. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  16. "West Coast-Tasman - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  17. "Ministerial List for Announcement on Monday" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 November 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  18. "New Zealand wins $1.8b trade deal with EU at eleventh hour". NZ Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  19. Manch, Thomas (20 June 2022). "New Zealand claims 'pleasing result' at World Trade Organisation meeting". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. Manch, Thomas (23 May 2022). "Trade Minister Damien O'Connor walks out of trade meeting in protest at Russia". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  21. Manch, Thomas (28 January 2021). "Trade Minister Damien O'Connor says Australia should 'follow us and show respect' to China, causing trans-Tasman tension". Stuff. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  22. Macdonald, Joshua (8 February 2021). "New Zealand Steps into Australia-China Dispute". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  23. Ensor, Jamie; Alexander, Mitchell (9 December 2021). "Trade Minister Damien O'Connor supports not sending ministers to Winter Olympics, says NZ 'strong' on human rights". Newshub. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  24. Patterson, Jane (10 July 2023). "New Zealand signs free trade deal with European Union after years of negotiations". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  25. Basham, Laura (28 November 2011). "Time for action to stop asset sales, says O'Connor". Stuff. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  26. Johnston, Martin Kay and Kirsty (11 April 2011). "Labour MP leaves list to 'gaggle of gays'". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  27. "Marriage equality bill: How MPs voted". The New Zealand Herald. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  28. Small, Vernon (9 August 2012). "MP's family split over gay marriage bill". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  29. "Coast MPs cross floor on timber bill". Stuff. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  30. New Zealand Parliamentary Debates (16 August 1995). Volume 549
  31. "Death with Dignity Bill — First Reading - New Zealand Parliament". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  32. "End of Life Choice Bill final reading: How your MP voted". The New Zealand Herald. 13 November 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  33. Cheng, Derek (19 March 2020). "How MPs voted on abortion law reform". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  34. Parliament, New Zealand (10 March 2020), Abortion Legislation Bill - Committee Stage - Part 1 - Video 28, retrieved 20 July 2022
  35. "MP Damien O'Connor and his wife separate". The New Zealand Herald. 28 July 2004. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  36. "Labour approaches former Police Association president Greg O'Connor about running in 2017". Stuff. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  37. McSweeny, Jacob (24 September 2017). "Every little thing got you over the line". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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