2023 General Election: Insights and observations from Barry Soper

Overview

In this talk, especially curated for PRINZ, IoD members and the Waikato business community, Barry Soper will provide insights into his past four decades of political reporting.  He will share his opinion on what we can expect in the lead-up to the 2023 General Election, as well as provide some key takeaways for business leaders in the current environment. Barry’s presentation style is light-hearted and humorous. 

Brought to you by the PR Institute of NZ (PRINZ) and the Waikato Branch of the Institute of Directors.

Barry Soper

One of New Zealand’s most highly respected journalists and political commentators. 

On 31 March, Barry stepped down from his full-time role in the Parliamentary Press Gallery and was recognised at a gala dinner celebration.  Later in the year, he will resume a part-time role in the Press Gallery, set to cover his 12th Prime Minister – meaning his reporting career will have spanned an even dozen PMs.

Barry came to the gallery as political editor for private radio but during his time he has made frequent appearances on television commentating on politics. He has also fronted Counterpoint for TVNZ, Right of Reply, an interview show in the leadup to the last election for Saturn, and Absolutely Soper, a light hearted weekly feature which was part of TV2’s late night news. As well as spending time as a radio talkback host. He also served an unprecedented three terms as chairman of the press gallery.

Through his work he has known and travelled abroad with seven Prime Ministers, the first of whom was Rob Muldoon. He has also met some of the most celebrated world leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, most of the Australian Prime Ministers, among them Paul Keating who once called him a “blow fly”, and President Bill Clinton.

Barry covered both the Fijian coups in 1987 and 2000, and was the first international journalist to secure an interview with rebel leader, George Speight. He was also the only New Zealand broadcast journalist to stay on in Suva after the shooting started within a week of the coup.

In 2001, Soper was named Individual Radio Journalist of the Year at the radio awards. Currently, Soper’s main role is that of political editor for Newstalk ZB. 

Additional information

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Contact

Megan Beveridge
Waikato Branch Manager

+64 21 358 772
waikato.branch@iod.org.nz

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