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Latest FromBarry Soper

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Pence may regret asking Ardern to be his dinner partner

15 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Ardern wasn't stuck for words as she slid in beside Mike Pence.

Hopefully re-entry will give families an idea of how, why and what happened on that dreadful day. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Pike River saga step closer to closure

14 Nov, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Families' huge relief as Govt confirms mine re-entry will go ahead.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin and Sir Anand Satyanand announcing the terms of reference for an inquiry into abuse of children. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Child abuse inquiry - Brace yourself for NZ's cruel past

13 Nov, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: For the victims it'll give them some sort of closure, if that's possible.

President Donald Trump described CNN correspondent Jim Acosta as a rude and terrible person. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Chilling parallels between Donald Trump and Rob Muldoon

12 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Trump is all powerful when it comes to those who are allowed to ask questions.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern holding her bible during her speech at Ratana Marae. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Government's quick, quick, slow rhythm

9 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Certainly that's the case when applied to its decision making processes.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is joined by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Peters plays politics like no one else

8 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: He understands how things work and where the pitfalls are.

From left, Karel Sroubek, Jami-Lee Ross and Wally Haumaha.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Triple troubles causing headache for political leaders

7 Nov, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Two of them are likely to be fish and chip paper within the next few weeks.

if Kiwis don't like their money being vacuumed up and sent offshore they should look at the home grown banks. Photo / Michael Craig

BUSINESS

Soper: Kiwis have themselves to blame for obscene bank profits

6 Nov, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The eye watering profits sucked out of Kiwi households every year are obscene.

Trevor Mallard and Gerry Brownlee attended the All Blacks match in Tokyo. Photo / Tadashi Miyamoto / AFLO

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: MPs' dubious junket to watch All Blacks

5 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Trevor Mallard and Gerry Brownlee indulge in some rugby diplomacy.

Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Immigration NZ used by experts to do dirty work

2 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Immigration New Zealand will be feeling short changed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Jacinda Ardern's questioner head-flicking habit

1 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This week Jacinda Ardern would have done a break dancer proud.

Karel Sroubek at the Auckland District Court in 2011. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Government needs to explain why it's being soft on hardened criminal Karel Sroubek

31 Oct, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Unfortunately there's nothing between the lines coming from the Beehive.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Karel Sroubek case - immigration law is an ass

30 Oct, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Job of Immigration Minister isn't a sought-after portfolio, and here's why.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex meet with Prime Minister Jacinda Arder in Wellington. Photo / AFP

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Do we get value from royal tour?

29 Oct, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Looking at happy faces, spending taxpayers' money was last thing on their minds.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in her Beehive office. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Politics' odd couple mark one year in power

26 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jacinda Ardern's probably never noticed his socks before.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Leadership locked into a single issue

25 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

John Key promised that the age of the pension would never rise above 65 while he was PM.

Bridges' show of solidarity last week with his caucus colleagues who were after his job earlier this year may have been a little optimistic. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: National's support solid, but not for Bridges

24 Oct, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: New poll has no cause for comfort for National leader Simon Bridges.

Barry Sopers asks whether National will use the so-called waka jumping law to get rid of Jami-Lee Ross. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Jami-Lee Ross saga - now the joke's on National

23 Oct, 2018 1:10pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Will National use the so-called waka jumping law to get rid of Jami-Lee Ross?

National Party leader Simon Bridges during his press conference over allegation made by Jami-Lee Ross, Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Bridges could have avoided the National mire

19 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: He obviously thought that the leak wasn't from within.

National leader Simon Bridges during his press conference over allegation made by Jami-Lee Ross. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Bridges' National leadership irreparably damaged

18 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This is not just about an MP going rogue, it's about buying influence.

National Party leader Simon Bridges speaks to media after a caucus meeting at Parliament. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Simon Bridges comes up short

17 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: All in all yesterday played out as a National Party soap opera.

Jami-Lee Ross, left, is in Nats leader Simon Bridges' sights. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Jami-Lee Ross has sealed his fate

16 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Jami-Lee Ross just doesn't have the smarts to pull off a leadership coup.

More than half the money we pay at the pump is made up of Government taxes. Photo / Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Bridges' petition ensures Govt will do nothing about petrol taxes

15 Oct, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Bridges is playing similar political blame game to the one Ardern's been playing.

National leader Simon Bridges. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Bridges, the National leak and a shambolic schmozzle

12 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Bridges' use of ministerial limo has become something of a political tidal wave.

A death in New York got me thinking about mortality. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Live life for today - you never know what's around the corner

11 Oct, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: A lifetime of friendship ended just as we were about to reunite in New York.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Jacinda Ardern.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Fashionably late - Jacinda Ardern treads carefully on US TV show

28 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Ardern treads carefully on US talk show.

United States President Donald Trump. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: There are times you have to bite your tongue

27 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: What parts of Donald Trump's speech did you agree with?

Jacinda Ardern with baby Neve and partner Clarke Gayford at the UN yesterday. Photo / AFP

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Plenty of babytalk in NY - but what about promoting NZ?

26 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Ardern is still the novelty as the youngest world leader in NY at the moment.

Jacinda Ardern's become a star on the international stage and freely acknowledges she's achieved that by being unusual.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Jacinda Ardern the apple of New York's eye

24 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jacinda Ardern's become a star on the international stage.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to the crowd at the Suffrage 125 year sunrise celebration, Aotea Square. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: PM shows some steel in sacking Whaitiri

21 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

For her first sacking Ardern turns to the Helen Clark playbook.

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern campaigning in Grey Lynn in 2017. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Ardern's rise still unprecedented a year on

18 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It was a job PM-to-be hadn't aspired to - but there was no one else in Labour.

Winston Peters, Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw talk with media after outlining the next steps in the Coalition Government's plan. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Freaky Fridays dogging the Govt

17 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: So by week's end you could be forgiven for thinking the Govt was falling apart.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: When does collective Cabinet responsibility kick in?

14 Sep, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: That's not an easy one to answer when it comes to this Government.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Top diplomat talks fairness and responsibility

13 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

It was a parting shot to the Aussies and coming from a diplomat it'll hopefully resonate.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is having a tough time dealing with coalition concerns. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Māori issues in the middle of a coalition tug-of-war

12 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Managing the coalition Government is becoming an unwieldy task.

Kelvin Davis, Titiwhai Harawira and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at an announcement on a Crown-Maori Partnership office at the Beehive. Photo / Audrey Young

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: From haters and wreckers to a seat at Cabinet table

11 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This was the Govt doing what it does better than any other - virtue signalling.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern obfuscated when answering questions about Clare Curran, knowing full well she'd resigned the night before.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Clare Curran saga reflects poorly on PM's leadership

10 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Clare Curran's demise eerily similar to that of the Labour MP she replaced.

NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Winston's NZ First among equals

6 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Feisty Foreign Minister says a lot through a tight slit that emits the sound.

NZ Minister of Foreign Affiars Winston Peters speaks to the media in Nauru. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Action needed, not words, if Govt wants to help Nauru refugees

5 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Stage is set for Jacinda Ardern to confront Australia's Nauru refugee situation.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during her post-cabinet press conference at the Beehive. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: PM's $80,000 plane bill for unnecessary Nauru trip

4 Sep, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's like the old public service mentality: if you've got a budget spend it.

$Chelsea Manning addresses participants at an anti-fracking rally in Baltimore. Photo / AP$

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Chelsea Manning has courage and integrity - should be welcomed here

3 Sep, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Aussies ran scared of controversial figure, but I'm glad NZ didn't.

Jim Anderton. Photo / NZPA/ David Alexander

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Abiding memory of election 20 years ago

31 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Jim Anderton was good to his word.

Barry Soper with the leader of the Afrikaners' Resistance Movement, Steyn Von Ronge.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Thank Trump for pausing South African land grab

30 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Trump has used the power of his office to do something good.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern fronted the business community yesterday. Photo / NZ Herald Focus

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Why does this govt need so many experts?

29 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This Government has become expert at setting up groups to address issues.

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Why are landlords being picked on?

28 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Most landlords aren't fat cats, so why change rental laws, asks Barry Soper.

National Party leader Simon Bridges didn't need to fly in all the senior MPs to stand behind him while addressing the expenses leaker saga. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Someone's out to get Simon Bridges. They'll likely succeed

27 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: To know the enemy from within but perhaps the truth is too hard to bear.

Australian former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Aussie politicians - they like a blood soaked carpet

24 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The ruling Liberal Party's been like a pack of dingoes rounding on their prey.

Many of us who have worked with Greg Boyed over the years were numb at news of his death.

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Greg Boyed and the silent disease that is depression

23 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Greg Boyed's family has shown true courage amid his death.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull address reporters at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Australian leadership becomes a toxic waste dump

22 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's good news for NZ that Peter Dutton's power grab failed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during her post-cabinet press conference at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Pay freeze an easy move for Jacinda Ardern to sound altruistic

21 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Self-appointed paymaster Jacinda Ardern rendered Remuneration Authority impotent.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Plastic is now public enemy number one

13 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: There's nothing so useful as the common old plastic bag.

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister David Clark. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Ardern would have wanted better first week back

10 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: More allegations plague top cop Wally Haumaha inquiry.

NZ First leader Winston Peters during his post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Robbing Peters to pay Paula

9 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It hardly seems fair on the long suffering taxpayer.

Don Brash is unhappy about Massey's decison. Photo / Duncan Brown.

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Massey ridiculous to ban Don Brash from speaking

8 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Are we becoming a bunch of easily offended milk sops in this country?

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: 'Trade for All' agenda another announcement without substance

7 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's a bit like putting the produce laden cart before the lumbering Clydesdale.

NEW ZEALAND

The documentary that reveals NZ's horrible truths

6 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The power of peer pressure should never be underestimated.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford with their daughter Neve. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Political media respect boundaries

3 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Over the years political families have been off limits.

Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford face the media with their newborn girl Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: PM Ardern takes over

2 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

If a crystal ball had predicted this a year ago it would have shattered at the thought.

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Wally Haumaha affair has been a mess from the start

1 Aug, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Let's hope inquiry outcome isn't as confusing and muddy as the process.

National Party leader Simon Bridges arrives for the 82nd National Party Conference. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper: Simon Bridges becoming the invisible man

31 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: National leader had his chance but failed to take it.

Henry Soper, son of Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Barry Soper on son's stabbing: Justice rarely goes the way you expect

30 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Being more than an observer of justice was an interesting exercise.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Soper: Waka-jumping bill shows it's really Winston wielding the power

27 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The Greens will be bitterly unhappy that their MPs are supporting the waka-jumping law.