# Greg O'Connor switches to Wellington City Council

> Former Labour MP Greg O'Connor steps into Wellington City Council after his electorate dissolved.
- Title: Greg O'Connor switches to Wellington City Council · RNZ
- Summary: Former Labour MP Greg O'Connor steps into Wellington City Council after his electorate dissolved. Greg O'Connor, former Labour MP, joins Wellington City…
- Keywords: greg oconnor, wellington city council, takapu northern, wellington, labour party, independent, wellington regions, politics, news, Greg, O'Connor, switches
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/1682162/a-lot-to-learn-greg-o-connor-on-his-switch-to-local-government
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-02T00:56:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: greg oconnor, wellington city council, takapu northern, wellington, labour party, independent, wellington regions, politics, news
## Greg O'Connor's political shift
Former Labour MP Greg O'Connor says his switch to Wellington City Council felt like a natural step after his Ōhariu electorate dissolved.

> it sort of was a natural step to take after the demise of the ohariu electorate
## Replacing Tony Randle
O'Connor will replace Tony Randle as Takapū/Northern general ward councillor after Randle died in August.
## O'Connor's background
O'Connor served as Ōhāriu's local MP since 2017 after 40 years in police and the Police Association.
## Learning curve ahead
O'Connor says he needs to get the lay of the land before making promises as a new councillor.

> it's all well and good to go in with sort of highfalutin ideas of things you want to demand
## Wellington's challenges
O'Connor says Wellington needs to regain its mojo and has few political friends outside the city.

> wellington hasn't got any friends outside wellington politically especially
## Population growth plan
O'Connor says increasing Wellington regions population will spread rising rates and water bills.
## Key takeaway

Greg O'Connor, former Labour MP, joins Wellington City Council as independent councillor following his electorate's dissolution.