Articles
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Thoughts on Today's Covid Announcement
Simon O'Connor
March 23, 2022 Share
About time. Although, in saying this, the government’s announcements today are also a case of ‘better late than never’. That most mandates are soon to end is positive, although I have been questioning the value of these for quite some time now.
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NZ needs power to impose autonomous sanctions
Simon O'Connor
February 28, 2022 Share
The deepening crisis in Ukraine is something that should worry us all. We have not seen this sort of blatant aggression since the late 1930s.
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Rogan, Rowling & Redemption
Simon O'Connor
February 07, 2022 Share
The place of cancel culture, faux rage, and blind ideology have once again raised their ugly heads in the ‘stoush’ around several episodes on the Joe Rogan Experience.
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Thoughts on Terrorism
Simon O'Connor
September 27, 2021 Share
Any crime, let alone an act of terrorism, always raises many questions. With the awful and disturbing stabbing of seven people while supermarket shopping by an Islamist terrorist, there is no shortage of such questions. I should start by saying – and what will be the theme of this opinion piece – is that questioning is good. In fact, the more questions, the more discussions, the more uncomfortable conversations, the better; Indeed, it is how we learn, grow, and improve.
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Thoughts on AUKUS
Simon O'Connor
September 27, 2021 Share
We Must Choose a Side (Before One is Chosen for Us)
In recent days, three of our closest allies announced a new defence treaty: AUKUS. New Zealand was conspicuously absent. Even more striking is that this treaty between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America is about our own backyard – the Indo-Pacific. I would suggest our exclusion has much to do with New Zealand’s relationship with China, or more precisely, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This relationship has been described to me by allies as ‘ambiguous’, ‘lacking clarity’, and ‘confusing’, particularly in light of the importance we place on human rights, democracy, and loyalty to our traditional friends. It is no wonder that when talks of a defence treaty involving the most cutting edge technology and cooperation was underway, New Zealand was not involved. And let’s be clear, we were not invited.
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Democracy Matters
Simon O'Connor
July 28, 2021 Share
Democracy matters. However, it is clear that there are some New Zealanders who are taking this for granted as they push both a separatist and ‘hate speech’ agenda. Both need to be rejected.
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Myths
Simon O'Connor
August 19, 2020 Share
Human beings love myths. They help us understand our world and they play an important role in bringing a community together, but the very meaning of myths implies that they are not always the reality -
Are We Responding Reasonably to the Crisis?
Simon O'Connor
May 07, 2020 Share
Proportionalism. Not an overly inspiring word, but one that is more relevant than ever and something desperately needed as New Zealand continues to respond to Covid-19.
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Covid-19: The Way Forward
Simon O'Connor
April 18, 2020 Share
Like everyone, living in this lock down is a surreal experience. Plans have changed, priorities re-ordered, relationships are being redefined. By order, we are confined to our homes; are restricted in what physical activity we can undertake; have had the media limited; and our businesses closed.
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Free Resources for the Covid-19 Lockdown
Simon O'Connor
April 06, 2020 Share
To help with the Covid-19 lockdown, a range of brands and services have designed programmes specifically for the self-isolation period and are offering them for free. Below are some suggestions on what you can do to keep yourself (and your family) healthy and entertained during self-isolation.