Podcast appearances and mentions of barry soper

Donald Trump delivered his annual State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington. The US President's spoke for nearly two hours - with topics ranging from the cost of living, defence and immigration. It's the longest State of the Union speech since at least 1964. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the highlights of the address. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's calling for caution, while agreeing with National that Auckland needs a new harbour crossing. The Infrastructure Commission last week suggested a toll as high as $9 to fund the new crossing - and also tolling the existing bridge. But Chris Hipkins ruled out tolling Auckland Harbour Bridge at his State of the Nation speech yesterday. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why this position doesn't quite match Labour's earlier stance on extra costs for road users. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's promising to be realistic as it shapes up election year ideas. Leader Chris Hipkins has delivered his State of the Nation address in Auckland at a Business Chamber event. The speech lacked new policy - but addressed concern around people leaving the country and the state of our tax system. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper voiced disapproval with the speech, and questioned whether Labour would be able to deliver on anything for Kiwi voters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political correspondent talks about the release of his long-awaited book on where all the bodies are buried - One Last Question, Prime Minister.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Miles Hurrell, Stu Loe, Stu Duncan, Kate Scott, Hamish McKay, and Barry Soper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has been accused of racism in Parliament by Labour and the Greens following his comments in Parliament yesterday. Peters singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage - and Labour's Willie Jackson was quick to voice his concerns in the House today. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions in Parliament today - with barbs traded between the Prime Minister and Opposition leader. Chris Luxon took a swipe at Labour's Chris Hipkins at Question Time over inflation. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told numerous MPs to cool down, after heckling from both sides. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the action from today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop warned the Government may need to put a toll on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to fund the new Waitematā crossing. The new crossing will be tolled, but the Government is getting advice on whether the existing bridge needs to be tolled as well - in order to stop people from using the old bridge to bypass the toll. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains why this idea isn't realistic for commuters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's Eden Park stadium's been picked as the host for New Zealand's first ever State of Origin game. The Government's also announced new rules kicking in from April, allowing night-time sport on any day, as long as games wrap up by 10.30pm. The new rules will also boost the number of concerts allowed without the need for resource consent - up from 12 to 32. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained the changes further - and discussed what this could do for Auckland's economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Karen Chhour has confirmed she's asked officials for a formal explanation over cultural leave being offered to Māori public servants. Senior political correspondentBarry Soper joins Heather todiscuss. Plus, it's been revealed Winston Peters did not ask for advice surrounding the new Reserve Bank Governor involving herself in US politics, despite suggesting she ask for advice. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our newsroom can reveal Parliament's Speaker's been filing incorrect property declarations for the past two decades. Gerry Brownlee last year amended 15 of his 19 pecuniary interests declarations, dating to 2005. But some changes still appear to be incorrect. The inconsistencies stemmed from failing to declare a property entirely - and even declaring one he didn't own. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further, and revealed whether Kiwis should be concerned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament's wading into debate whether a levy the Government announced yesterday is indeed a levy, or in fact a tax. The so-called 'levy on electricity' will fund building an LNG import terminal. Labour was quick to label this a 'gas tax', but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Energy Minister Simon Watts maintained this project would bring down people's power bills. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is contracting to build a liquefied natural gas import facility, as a reliable backup fuel source. It's expected to save the country about $265 million a year, equivalent to about $50 per household. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains the project further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare announced he was leaving politics yesterday, but some speculate there's more to the story than that. New Zealand First's Shane Jones has claimed that that's not the full story and it's 'important the whole story comes out'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks these claims. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare's announced he's leaving politics, after what he calls a 'tough' 2025. Henare says he's not seeking re-election for Labour this year, and will leave Parliament in the coming weeks. It comes after he lost the Tamaki Makaurau seat to Te Pati Māori for a second time in last year's by-election, a seat he'd held for six-years from 2014 to 2020. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A change in student progress reports, with schools now required to give parents more clearer information about how their child is progressing. Nationally consistent assessment and reporting will be implemented in primary and intermediate schools for the first time this year. The new system replaces a 20-year-old framework and provides parents of Years 0-to-10 students with progress markers and twice-yearly learning updates. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what these changes mean for Kiwi students. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Trade's attempting to put to bed concerns about our fair trade agreement with India - repeatedly voiced by the NZ First leader. Winston Peters claims it will let tens of thousands more Indian migrants enter the country. The Prime Minister has denied the assertion. The full agreement is still not publicly available, but Trade Minister Todd McClay has detailed visa numbers to Parliament today. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflections on a tumultuous career, as senior National MP Judith Collins quits politics. She's moving to become the Law Commission President - after 24 years in Parliament. She lost the National leadership in 2021 after a caucus revolt, but just two years later became the Minister with the most portfolios. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper looked back on Collins' long-running political career. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former National leader Judith Collins is retiring from politics to take a new job as President of the Law Commission, starting from mid-year. The MP for Papakura entered Parliament in 2002. She was a Minister in the Key Government, and ran for the party leadership three times - assuming the role in 2020, before stepping down in 2021. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper joined the Afternoons team to look back on Collins' political legacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Full Show Podcast for the 28th of January 2026, news came through that Judith Collins is to retire - senior political correspondent Barry Soper joined us. Then - we discuss taking an OE later in life on the back of Kiwi comedian and writer Eli Matthewson moving to London to experience big city life at 37. The sports star explosions as Coco Gauff smashes another racket - was it dirty for TV to broadcast it when she did it in the privacy of the locker room? Get the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Podcast every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 24 years, former National Party leader Judith Collins has called time on her career in politics for a new role as head of the law commission. Collins is the longest-continuously serving female MP in New Zealand, winning her electorate seats in Clevedon and then Papakura at every general election she has contested since 2002. The prime minister’s office has confirmed Collins will remain the MP for Papakura, retaining her portfolios until she moves to the law commission mid-year. So, what does her departure mean for New Zealand politics, who is National lining up for her seat, and when the history books are written – what will Judith Collins’ be remembered for? Today on The Front Page, Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper is with us to unpack a career defined by survival, scandal, comebacks, and crushing presence in New Zealand politics. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament returned today for the first session of 2026, and the focus has turned to campaigning for the upcoming election. Hipkins and Luxon made their statements, with Luxon applauding the coalition's track record and Hipkins accusing the Government of being all about slogans, not delivery. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.