In June, National Party leader Christopher Luxon denied O'Connor's right to freedom of speech and freedom of conscience after he told the MP to remove a Facebook post concerning the overturn of Roe v Wade.

"Simon O'Connor's post was taken down because it was causing distress and does not represent the position of the National Party," Luxon said in a June statement.

CathNews approached a person close to the National Party for comment.

"It's just the political inexperience of Christopher Luxon coming back to haunt him," CathNews was told.

"The party's popularity is recovering slowly, (after Luxon's take-down order), but people are still not fully convinced by Chris."

"Traditionally, the National Party treats abortion and other life matters as conscience issues, and while not agreeing with O'Connor's enthusiasm, I respect his right to his view," CathNews was told.

However, Luxon also describes himself as being pro-life and last year said he believes abortion is tantamount to murder.

He also clarified that New Zealand's abortion laws would not be "re-litigated or revisited" under a future National Government.

Over the weekend, it was confirmed that three others want to be National's candidate in the Tamaki electorate.

Well known for his pro-life views, O'Connor holds the seat for National with an 8,068 vote majority; the third highest of all National MP's in the 2020 election.

It is the first time he has been challenged since he won the safe blue Tamaki's seat in 2011.

Apart from confirming he is seeking re-selection, O'Connor is refusing to discuss the challenge. Under National Party rules, nominees are not allowed to speak publicly until after the selection process.

"I'm very much focused on working with the excellent team here and putting to them why I'm still the best choice," he says.

One of those reportedly challenging him is Claire Ward.

She is the sister to blogger Cameron Slater and the daughter of former National party president John Slater.

Family friends include Judith Collins.

Ward was a strong critic of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2021. She spoke out in videos on social media criticising the impacts of lockdowns on businesses and mental health, as well as the vaccine mandates.

To continue to be nominated to stand for National, O'Connor needs local party members' and delegates' support.

It is rare for sitting MPs to face a challenge in their own electorate.

All National candidates - including current MPs - have to go through National's new screening processes before the next election. These processes include police checks and having their social media and personal history vetted.

Source

• NZ Herald

Stuff reports the 69-year-old grandmother, returning to her homeland is unthinkable at the moment, but her visa expires at the end of March.

Dragomyretska​ is worried she will be forced to leave.

She was in New Zealand when Covid-19 hit and while her visa expired in 2020, it was automatically extended three times because of Covid. She has since successfully applied twice for a visitor visa, but that expires soon.

If Dragomyretska was not allowed to stay in New Zealand, she would have to apply for refugee status from another country. Staying in New Zealand illegally was not an option for her.

"My life is here now. I have friends here," she said.

She has no close family in Ukraine.

Immigration NZ (INZ) is aware of this, so is encouraging anyone from Ukraine in New Zealand with a visa due to expire soon, to get in touch to discuss their options.

Border and visa operations general manager Nicola Hogg​ (pictured) says INZ realises these people may be unable to return immediately to their home country "due to circumstances beyond their control."

They may be able to apply for a further visa to enable them to stay, she says.

Each application would be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant and available information.

Hogg says INZ will "be taking a pragmatic approach in these circumstances."

The National Party however says the Government needs to do much more to help Ukranians.

National's Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford says her party is urging the Government to create a special humanitarian visa for immediate family members of Ukrainians who have settled in New Zealand.

"The situation in Ukraine is worsening by the day and Ukrainian Kiwis will be extremely worried about the safety of their family members back home," she says.

"This is something New Zealand can do now to support our Ukrainian Kiwis to bring their immediate family members here. There are approximately 1500 Ukrainians living in New Zealand, so this could benefit thousands of people in desperate situations.

"The Government should also fast-track existing visa applications for Ukrainians, as Australia has done.

"New Zealand's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine so far has been lacking compared to the rest of the global community. We urge the Government to make this a priority."

Source

• Stuff
• NZ National Party
• Image: Stuff