The Country 05/06/26: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay

We reflect on the NZ Radio Awards and ask, why did we send four no-name politicians to Taiwan? 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah, going old old old time country with Charlie Pride
and kiss an angel good morning. That's probably what our
final guest for the week did this morning, Barry Soaper,
Are you there, Barrymie? Did you kiss an angel good morning?
I kiss an angel good morning this morning. Because you're
married to the best broadcaster in New Zealand.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, no, I didn't this morning because she left for
the office at about half past two this morning.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
Brutal brutal ours, isn't it They are when you do.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
The briefast show. But of course Mike Hosking is out
of the country, so she's calling in.

Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well done, Barry. I know that you or you've got
I mean you would we know, as Michelle said, there's
no room left in the pool room at your place
because you've got years and years and years of them,
and Heather Stock is stacked up the best gone or
the biggest gong two years in a row.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, no, it was pretty extraordinary. We you know, we
almost weren't going to go last night, Jamie because she
is doing this early morning show and then somebody has
to look after the kids when she gets a bit
of sleep, so we thought we'll give the awards a
missed this year, but we were sort of nudged towards
them and decided that we would go after all.

Speaker 1 (01:16):
Well, I'm glad you did. Look, here's a question for
you out of the blue. I was watching the news
last night, and of course China's got the huff that
four politicians went to Taiwan. They have to apologize. They're
not allowed into China. No big deal. But why why
in God's name are we sending a four no names,
particularly two of them Duncan Webb and more in pure

(01:36):
correct me if I'm wrong, who are retiring in this term?
What a waste of taxpayers money?

Speaker 2 (01:43):
Well, yes, you could say that.

Speaker 1 (01:45):
No, I just did say that. Well where's the value
in it?

Speaker 2 (01:48):
Well probably I would imagine their trip would have been
paid for by the Taiwanese. It wasn't an official delegation
from parliament, so you know, the Taiwanese are known for
doing that. Dean to Taiwan many years ago, and that
was I was approached by a cabinet minister who put
together a group went up to Taiwan themselves. So look,

(02:11):
it's been done for years, but in the Chinese have
been a little less sensitive than what they are at
the moment, and I think that what that says, Jamie,
is that the tension between Taiwan and mainland China is
now at an all time high.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
Hey, Barry, I just want to say, your book, one
last question, Prime Minister, is putting me to sleep every night.
And that's not because it's boring, Barry. It's such a
good read. I just read it into the small ass
and then I'm not off great boss.

Speaker 2 (02:40):
Well, I'm really pleased to hear that. Yes, it certainly
hit the right notes and I'm happy about that. And
as you're having the right note now, Jamie.

Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yes, I am a bit of Charlie pride for you.
I know you're a gore boy. There would have been
lots of Charlie pride back in the day when you
were doing the domes and the center parks. In the
middle of there we go, Barry Soper, he's come along.
Why hasn't he