Barry
Soper

Speaker Profile
Barry Soper has been a journalist since the 1970’s with the last two decades spent in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. He is the longest serving member of the gallery and the country’s most experienced political broadcast journalist.
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.
He can deliver an address on the premise “where to from here”, based on his years of political experience and analysis, or a more light hearted, anecdotal address, gathered from his years of travelling with Prime Ministers. He is also a particularly astute debater and MC.
Client Comments for Barry Soper
Barry Soper travels from New Zealand
Client Comments
Client Comments
- Barry's presentation met our expectations and the audience's reaction was positive.
Barrie Cooper, NZSA - Barry entertained us and provided an insight into the politics involved in gaming.
Roger Parton, Club NZ Ltd - Barry was entertaining and had the audience interested in what he was saying. His talk was a good combination of humorous stories from the past and factual events. Our guests asked quite a few questions and Barry was very obliging and didn't appear to be in a rush to get through his after dinner slot – which was very much appreciated. I would have no hesitation in recommending Barry Soper as an after dinner speaker
Chartered Accountants ANZ
"What other dungeon is so dark as one's own heart! What jailer so inexorable as one's self!"
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"
As always, great communication, follow up and quick turnaround time for all queries. Very patient too – it took us quite a while to confirm Greg, but Anita was very patient and just kept following up.
I also always enjoy working with Anita and Jean. The CSNZ staff are so knowledgable about all the speakers on your books and, although we didn't book any others through CSNZ this year, both this year and in the past CSNZ have recommended people who would be a perfect fit for what we are after.
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Meat Industry Association
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