Podcast appearances and mentions of barry soper

Parliament's youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori, has teased a coming Waitangi Day announcement with an Instagram post to her 271K Instagram followers. The post alluded to a collaboration between herself and Green MP Tamatha Paul. And, as election year approaches questions of Winston Peter's political alliance come to the forefront. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most parts of the economy are growing again. Stats NZ data out today shows GDP fell further in the June quarter than reported - at 1 percent, not 0.9. But GDP rose 1.1 percent in the September quarter - with growth in 14 of 16 industries. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what this means for the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's delivered his final parliamentary speech for the year, handing out plenty of praise for his Government and jibes for the Opposition. Parliament's wrapping up for the year, with party leaders getting in their last say. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the final speeches. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Condolences and support from New Zealand MPs for Australia's Jewish community, after Sunday's terror attack. Parliament's held a moment's silence - marking the 15 people killed when two gunmen opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says speakers from all the major political parties paid tribute to the victims. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's tempering expectations ahead of the Government's books opening this week. The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will be unveiled tomorrow - with some economists expecting a projected surplus to be pushed out by another year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will be the third time a return to surplus has been pushed out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's tempering expectations ahead of the Government's books opening this week. The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will be unveiled tomorrow - with some economists expecting a projected surplus to be pushed out by another year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will be the third time a return to surplus has been pushed out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is defending her economic track record in the face of a lobby-group's satirical campaign. The Taxpayers' Union has sent MPs Nicola Willis-branded fudge, claiming she favours treats today and taxes tomorrow. It suggests Willis should cut spending more. Willis says the Government has reduced taxes and delivered significant cost savings - while keeping frontline services. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why Nicola Willis is keen on making the debate with Ruth Richardson happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taxpayers' Union has raised concerns about Nicola Willis' skills as a Finance Minister - and one of her predecessors has expressed interest in a debate. Willis challenged Ruth Richardson to a debate yesterday, after Richardson criticised the Government's fiscal track. Richardson's agreed - but a date's yet to be set. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Resource Management Act is officially bound for the scrapheap. The Government's replacing the hefty legislation with two new laws - one based around planning, and the other on the environment. The new laws will cut consent and permit numbers by 46-percent, and speed up those still required. Barry Soper told Ryan Bridge that he's 'overwhelmed' with the scrapping of the Resource Management Act, and says he agrees with Chris Bishop's claim that this is the largest economic reform in a generation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Ryan Bridge about today's political hot topics. Luxon sold the RMA reform we'll see tomorrow from Chris Bishop and Simon Court. Minister of Police Mark Mitchell is at odds with former police commissioner Andrew Coster over who knew what and when in the McSkimming scandal. A New Zealand war ship is being shadowed by a Chinese fleet near Taiwan. And, Helen Clark's father passed away. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated to Te Pāti Māori, for now, after she took her expulsion from the party to court. A leaked phone call between European leaders shows confidence in Trump's loyalty to Ukraine is not strong. And, ten years ago we voted against changing the flag. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Expelled MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was heard by Justice Radich in the Wellington High Court in regard to her interim injunction against Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended the IKEA opening in Auckland today. And, head of the Justice Ministry, Andrew Kibblewhite, defended Sunny Kaushal's work as chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for victims of retail crime, including more than $227K in pay and a $3200 morning tea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Ex-Police Commissioner Andrew Coster resigned from his role as the CEO of the Social Investment Agency amid an inquiry into his involvement in the McSkimming case. The Treasury is over halfway through a review of state asset ownership, but they say the review is not driven by hope of asset sales. And, Donald Trump says he can abolish income tax because of how successful the tariffs are. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper chats to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the Andrew Coster inquiry, and Tamatha Paul calling for the defunding of NZ Police. Soper denies Paul's concerns over race bias in arrests made by NZ Police. "I don't think there's racism in the Police at all," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Stu Loe, Stu Duncan, Rachel Shearer, Todd Clark, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political correspondent has a book coming out next year. But will he tell us where the bodies are buried?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask our political correspondent if Winston could ever go with Labour again and whether Chloe is indeed a "demonic eggbeater"? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie talks to Shane Jones, Emma Poole and Tim Dangen, Chris Brandolino, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rumours have been swirling of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon getting rolled by his party. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith denied the rumours saying no one in National's caucus had raised with him the idea of replacing Luxon. In recent polls National has lagged behind Labour with 33% versus 38% in the Talbot Mills/Anacta poll conducted between November 1 and 10. This has fanned the flames of conversation regarding the likelihood of National's re-election next year. Although, Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "essentially you've got Labour on the ropes, whereas you've got, the coalition government headed by National in a much stronger position." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing speculation Chris Luxon is at risk of being rolled ahead of the election, with Chris Bishop being touted as a potential replacement. An opinion piece by Audrey Young was released today, and it claimed that Labour was going extra hard on Bishop over the cycleway project because he was likely to take over the party by 2026. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says National's taking a hit in the polls and there's discussions about Luxon's leadership abilities taking place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Smokefree 2025 goal was created in 2010 with the hope that fewer than 5 percent of Kiwis will smoke by 2025, but that's looking unlikely. The annual New Zealand Health survey's confirmed rates are stagnating just below 7 percent - and vaping rates growing. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pointing to market changes and consumer costs as motivation for changing 2023's Clean Vehicle Standard. It gave importers credits for meeting carbon targets, and charged them if they missed. But Transport Minister Chris Bishop says charges are falling on the consumer, which will now be slashed nearly 80 percent. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government's wasted no time getting this through. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pati Māori has had an eventful week, with two prominent MPs being ousted from the party. Party leader John Tamihere said that this was done to prevent an internal coup – however that may not be the case. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather duPlessis-Allan that a, “attempted takeover of the party's leadership was a made-up story.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White House says Democrats are pulling a manufactured hoax following the release of emails by late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, mentioning Donald Trump. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released three email exchanges, followed by the release of 20-thousand pages of documents by Republicans. One email from 2011 claims the US President spent hours at Epstein's house with an unnamed victim. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the reactions to this development. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says like many Kiwis, he's disappointed - by a scathing IPCA report highlighting past failures in senior Police management of complaints about one of their own. The police watchdog report has detailed how staff, including then-Commissioner Andrew Coster, didn't investigate allegations when they were made against Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the discussions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has responded to Winston Peters' fears over potential asset sales. Chris Luxon has ruled them out this term, but is again suggesting it needs discussion. Meanwhile, the NZ First leader has told RNZ it's a silly argument - and claimed the party will stop the country's assets from being sold. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the discussions further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori's co-leaders won't share why their National Council decided to expel Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. The Council met last night to decide on the two MPs' fate. The expulsion comes after weeks of public sparring between the pair and Party President John Tamihere. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political correspondent discusses Te Pāti Māori and Winston Peters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Peter McBride, George Dodson, Hugh Jackson, Chris Brandolino, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-top cop Jevon McSkimming's admitted to having child exploitation and bestiality images on work devices. The former Deputy Police Commissioner's pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable material in Wellington District Court this afternoon. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's verdict. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Significant progress is being made on New Zealand's Free Trade Agreement with India. India's Trade Minister is in the country - discussing our trade relationship over the next few days with Minister Todd McClay and the Prime Minister. India has announced it's looking towards an early conclusion of the FTA. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained that these discussions were why Luxon missed Question Time - prompting criticism from Labour. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori has confirmed they're not ruling out triggering two separate byelections by expelling controversial MPs. Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer aren't backing down from the party's actions as it defers to Te Pāti Māori's national council. This comes as deliberations to oust Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris continue to take place. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 4 November 2025, the president of the NZ School Board Association is unhappy that the education minister is taking treaty obligations off boards. Melbourne Cup correspondent Donna Demaio reports live from Flemington with the latest from the big race day. Prue Daly, boss of the NZ International Convention Centre, in studio with Heather to celebrate finally getting the keys to the convention centre.... 6 years late! Is the Government looking to introduce a ban on homeless people in city centres? Barry Soper has the latest from Parliament. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a Canterbury museum is wrong to show "both sides" of World War II. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says she isn't going anywhere. Te Pāti Māori's President, John Tamihere, has suggested she and Te Tai Tonga MP, Takuta Ferris, should resign from the Party. That's his response to a petition launched by 'Te Tai Tonga Executive' - calling for his resignation. He's accusing the two MPs of avarice and entitlement, referencing Hone Harawira's split from the Party in 2011 - and telling them to do the "honourable thing'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recaps the ongoing saga. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political commentator ponders the artist formerly known as Prince Andrew, Trump and Luxon at Apec and Winston being a grumpy old man barking at cars and yelling at clouds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Mark de Lautour, Tim Dangen, Rachel Shearer, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after allegations of unprofessional behaviour. While speaking to Newstalk ZB yesterday Bayly said he was told the allegations made against him had been corroborated by three other people - he now has evidence it was not. Speaking from Korea overnight Luxon reiterated he would have fired Bayly had he not resigned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Bayly is fighting to clear his name and claims he was misled about the allegations against him before he resigned as a Cabinet Minister. Bayly, the MP for Port Waikato, stood down as ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister after he “placed a hand” on a staff member's arm during what he described as an “animated discussion” in February. Bayley says the fact that no complaint had been made against him was contrary to what he was led to believe at the time - and he's determined to set the record straight. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper confirmed Bayly's now taken legal advice. "There was never a formal complaint laid against Andrew Bayly, but he was led to believe that there was some serious complaints made against him." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! National's Andrew Bayly has revealed why he resigned in February and attempted to clear up the situation with ZB's Barry Soper earlier today. What do we make of all this? Luxon and Trump had their first big face-to-face meeting today - how do we think it all went? The chat was about hair and golf, did we expect more? Is it okay for Chris Hipkins to take shots at Chris Luxon's wealth? Was that a low blow? Parents are struggling to get their babies vaccinated against measles and the Ministry of Health can't explain why they're making it so hard. Is this unreasonable? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appeared to correct the Prime Minister for taking credit on a trade deal. Chris Luxon has confirmed New Zealand is one of a handful of nations that now has a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN - and posted that he made a deal with Southeast Asian nations. In a since-deleted tweet, Peters corrected Luxon with one word - 'we'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculated on why Peters deleted the comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour was forced to reveal its tax policy early, after details were leaked to media over the long weekend. The party's proposed a 28 percent capital gains tax on all residential and commercial property - but not the family home. It's promising to use the revenue to fund three free GP visits for all Kiwis. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins has voiced frustration with this leak and confirmed whoever leaked the policy will get booted from the party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political commentator reflects on the life and times of our 35th Prime Minister, Jim Bolger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Andrew Hoggard, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori's behaviour is once again a topic of discussion following bill burning and allegations of over-spending this week. Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Te Pāti Māori 'shouldn't be anywhere near Government'. Soper identified a possible link between the ongoing party controversies and it's culture of nepotism. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memories were shared of Jim Bolger as a devout Catholic, masterful farmer, family man and exceptional leader. Colleagues and family shared remembrances of the former Prime Minister, as he was laid to rest in Kapiti today. Former Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals, iwi leaders and the Māori Queen attended the funeral at Bolger's local parish. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped all the tributes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Commissioner's again sounding a negative note over New Zealand's major health and education strike tomorrow. About 100,000 union members across various sectors will stop work across the day - expressing frustration over pay and working conditions. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is expected to be the biggest strike in New Zealand's history since the 1970s, with many unions expected to take part. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unexpected Labour policy announcement was a bit of a shock for leader Chris Hipkins today. Health spokesperson, Ayesha Verrall revealed the policy in an op-ed for New Zealand Doctor magazine. It proposes to create an independent body to estimate and allocate GP funding increases, rather than the Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour 'botched up' the rollout of this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent data shows inflation reached three percent in the year to September, and it's prompted concerns about the economy. Stats NZ figures out today show the rate rose from 2.7 percent annually to June - hitting the top end of the Reserve Bank's target band. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is higher than what the Government was hoping for, and it's unclear what this could mean for the Reserve Bank. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Simeon Brown was met with booing at the senior doctors' annual conference before accusing doctors of "crossing an ethical line" and threatening compulsory arbitration. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters fired off some threats of his own suggesting regulation for Fonterra if the Lactalis sale proceeds. ACT leader David Seymour hit back at Peter's threats saying the decision is for the farmers, not the Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says 'politicking' tiffs like Peters and Seymour's will become more common as elections approach next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A flurry of tributes from current and former politicians for former Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, who died yesterday. The 90-year-old died peacefully, surrounded by family. He served as Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper looked back on some memories with the former leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.