Barry Soper is a name and certainly a voice that’s recognisable across New Zealand.

After decades in the Beehive, Soper put pen to paper outlining his time covering 12 Prime Ministers, from Muldoon to Luxon.

He blends personal stories, policy critiques, and behind-the-scenes tales ... like Muldoon’s drunken Schnapps election call, Lange’s antics in Africa, and Bolger’s mimicry habits.

As former PM John Key wrote in one of the book’s forewords, “Barry knew, and still knows, where the bones are buried”. The other foreword is penned by Helen Clark.

Barry Soper joins The Front Page to discuss how political reporting has changed over the years, and where he thinks it’s headed.

Barry Soper is a name and certainly a voice that&rsquo;s recognisable across New Zealand.
After decades in the Beehive, Soper put pen to paper outlining his time covering 12 Prime Ministers, from Muldoon to Luxon.
He blends personal stories, policy critiques, and behind-the-scenes tales ... like Muldoon&rsquo;s drunken Schnapps election call, Lange&rsquo;s antics in Africa, and Bolger&rsquo;s mimicry habits.
As former PM John Key wrote in one of the book&rsquo;s forewords, &ldquo;Barry knew, and still knows, where the bones are buried&rdquo;. The other foreword is penned by Helen Clark.
Barry Soper joins The Front Page to discuss how political reporting has changed over the years, and where he thinks it&rsquo;s headed.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Barry Soper on what makes a good PM (and what doesn't)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b79b77fc-d7f6-4f21-9541-b43d004ae2e8/transcript