The Labour Party list for the election later was released yesterday, and included former party president and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union secretary Andrew Little ranked at 15.
The next highest ranked non-MP was Maori political advisor Deborah Mahuta-Coyle, at No 26, with Labour's Botany by-election candidate Michael Wood rounding out the three top-ranked non-MPs at No 32.
Mr O'Connor, currently a list MP, did not appear on the list and told media he had stood aside because he did not trust the ranking process, which was run by "self-serving unionists and a gaggle of gays".
He would instead contest the West Coast-Tasman seat, currently held by National's Chris Auchinvole.
Mr O'Connor this morning stood by the comments but would not say which individuals he had been referring to.
"There are obviously many good people involved in the Labour Party at all levels, but the list is not ideal, it is one that was set out right at the start of MMP and probably needs to be looked at," he told Radio New Zealand.
"But I stand by what I said. We have to uphold the principles and the objectives but it doesn't mean to say we have to uphold the agendas of individuals or particular unions."
Mr O'Connor said a number of people had been overlooked in the ranking process.
"Provincial MPs in the Labour Party have ended up being isolated ... there's a risk that then the party doesn't represent the wider New Zealand."
Leader Phil Goff said Mr O'Connor had been told off for the comments, but that the "West Coast language" was actually likely to help him in his bid for the electorate.
