Articles by Barry Soper, Patrice Dougan
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World
Ukraine disappointed by stalemate with Russia, and anxious about aid from allies
Friday, 22 December 2023, 10:32AMThe year started with high hopes for Ukrainian troops planning a counteroffensive against Russia. It ended with disappointment...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: David Seymour got too big for his boots this week
Thursday, 14 September 2023, 4:25PMThe past week has been dominated by opinion polls, and they've certainly been on the minds of the leaders as they travel...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: As the week has progressed, so have the porkies from Labour
Friday, 8 September 2023, 5:58PMThey've been out on the hustings for a week now and there are a couple of things that have stuck in my craw. As the week's...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Can Labour turn its polling slide around?
Thursday, 7 September 2023, 5:39PMThis has been touted as one of the most important elections in recent history, and it's hard to argue against that. We...
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Politics
'We're going to fire a rocket': Former National MP to enter election with Christian-focused party
Thursday, 10 August 2023, 4:07PMA former National Party cabinet minister will tomorrow enter the election fray with a Christian party. Alfred Ngaro was a...
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Politics
ACT's Simon Court shot in a drug deal gone wrong as a teenager
Tuesday, 8 August 2023, 5:44PMA senior Act MP has admitted being shot as a youth after a drug deal involving his mate, but one that he denies being involved...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: The Ardern/Hipkins Government left a lawless, impoverished, struggling country longing for relief
Monday, 24 July 2023, 6:46PMJacinda Ardern was perplexed after quitting the Prime Minister's job in January- she was asked to write a book, which will...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Michael Wood's behaviour went from unacceptable to plain dishonest
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 4:44PMSacked Labour Cabinet Minister Michael Wood is either so stinking rich that he doesn't know which trust he's stashed his...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: The Government intended to roll out equity adjustor scores before media scrutiny
Tuesday, 20 June 2023, 5:45PMIt seems the Government's put on ice plans for a nationwide roll out of the equity adjustor scores being given to Auckland...
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Auckland
Auckland surgeons must now consider ethnicity in prioritising patients for operations - some are not happy
Sunday, 18 June 2023, 4:47PMAuckland surgeons are now being required to consider a patient’s ethnicity alongside other factors when deciding who should...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Michael Wood's airport shares raise questions about other decisions he's made
Wednesday, 7 June 2023, 3:11PMOn the face of it $13,000 worth of shares wouldn't be seen by many as a windfall, certainly nothing to lose your job over. That's...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: No-one wants to see a repeat of the dawn raids 50 years on
Tuesday, 2 May 2023, 6:41PMIf someone overstays their visa then the authorities have a right to talk to the offenders to at least establish why. Every...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: PM needs to learn how to deal with talent and trouble
Tuesday, 12 April 2022, 7:15AMJacinda Ardern's unknowingly become an expert at doing the dance of the unveiled - the seven have long since been shed even...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Why there was no point sticking around for Ashley Bloomfield
Wednesday, 6 April 2022, 7:21PMSounding like the politician he's become, the country's best-known public servant Ashley Bloomfield announced he was standing...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: The PM's announcement that wasn't - she's playing a cracked record
Tuesday, 5 April 2022, 7:35AMJacinda Ardern gave every indication during her round of media interviews yesterday, with the exception of Newstalkzb unfortunately,...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Labour is abusing its absolute power
Thursday, 31 March 2022, 7:22AMWhat's happening to democracy in this country, let alone the promised transparency of this Government? Labour is abusing...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Why can't this Govt make a decision and announce it at once?
Tuesday, 22 March 2022, 3:11PMOPINION: What is it about this Government that sees it make decisions, which to me seem not to be based on sound information,...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: The longer this goes on, the harder dialogue will become
Thursday, 17 February 2022, 6:33PMNormally politicians are scrambling over each other to get out on the front steps of Parliament to address protesters. It's...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Govt's refusal to engage with Parliament protest is unwise if not unkind
Tuesday, 15 February 2022, 10:37AMFrom the beginning the Prime Minister has preached kindness, it's her mantra, urging us all to respect each other. It's a...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: This Government has become like a can of CRC
Tuesday, 1 February 2022, 7:30PMWe all wait with bated breath for the Prime Minister's speech tomorrow where she will be announcing the where-to-from-here...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: The virus will be the Government's undoing
Tuesday, 1 February 2022, 1:25PMOver the past two years we've heard it ad nauseam. We're a team of five million and we are constantly reminded to be kind...
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Politics
An arduous year for Newstalk ZB Political Editor, Barry Soper
Wednesday, 15 December 2021, 12:18PMFor Parliament's longest serving press gallery journalist it's been challenging as he deals with the Prime Minister. Still...
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Opinion
Barry Soper: Chris Luxon should not have tried to take Jacinda Ardern at her own Covid game
Tuesday, 7 December 2021, 6:27PMThe thing is, Jacinda Ardern can never be taken on at her own game. For her, there's only one game in town and she plays...
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Politics
Barry Soper: Simon Bridges made the right decision today
Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 3:48PMIf the likeable Simon Bridges had taken the prize they would have bought themselves two years of trouble and that's the last...