One Last Question, Prime Minister

by Barry Soper

From Muldoon to Luxon, untold stories from the House of Parliament
Barry Soper has spent close to five decades questioning New Zealand's prime ministers.

From the imposing, larger-than-life characters of Rob Muldoon and David Lange, to the golden age of Helen Clark and John Key, and the post-Covid era of Jacinda Ardern and the 'Chrises', Soper's insight and nose for a story are second to none.

One Last Question, Prime Minister is the story of a working life measured by 12 prime ministers - packed with entertaining yarns from the hallways, back-rooms, and hotel bars where New Zealand's chosen leaders - for better or worse - created their lasting legacies.

Genres: Nonfiction

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from an unbiased read, but it's an interesting one.

[Ruby Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read if you completely ignore the chapter on Jacinda

[Emily Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to deny Soper had an incredible career at the forefront of NZ politics. There were a few interesting insights, particularly about those early years but overall this was far more surface level than I thought it would be. The writing is sloppy and Soper disjointedly jumps from one tangent to the next, which was disorientating.

While he seemed to give balanced takes on the rest of the prime ministers, he's pretty ruthless and cruel when speaking about Arden. Oh and deeply misogynistic! He claimed that she proved why recent young mothers shouldn't have the top job. Yuck.

[Elliot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it just wasn’t for me. The whole thing felt really surface level I thought. But I also should’ve known it wasn’t a biography about each prime minister.
I’m glad I read it as I always want to keep reading the voices of those with different opinions to myself.
It’s pretty crazy to me just how clearly obsessed Barry is with Jacinda Ardern. I think he mentions her in every chapter.

[Susanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting enough to read if you have some spare time - is a fast read and some good behind the scenes.

The not so good-
It gets more and more annoying to read as it becomes more and more evident just how much of an ego Soper has. (He credits himself with a lot..)
The chapters I assume are written to be taken as standalone but it does mean that theres several bits of repetition in the book and given its such a quick read the repetition sticks out.
His opinion of pms seems to be quite biased / direct result of whether he felt they gave him the respect he felt his deserved. This is probably to be expected but does also mean there is some pretty shallow political analysis in places.

Worth a read if you are very interested in nz pol but would get a library or loan from a friend rather than purchase for the bookshelves.

[Dylan Bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a huge Barry Soper fan, and he says some very unkind things about Jacinda Ardern “I don’t think she had the intellectual capacity to understand exactly what she was doing” (wtf?) but overall - I enjoyed the book and I’m glad we’re publishing books like this so the stories stay with us forever. I especially enjoyed Soper’s recollection of time spent with Muldoon and Lange - with Muldoon’s desire to build and create infrastructure particularly inspiring. His reflection on Clark and Key both being the glory days of NZ Prime Ministers feels correct to me. An easy read that is easy to recommend to anyone in NZ interested in politics or journalism.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soper has a nice, conversational, writing style and it is a quick and entertaining read. The books gives some interesting insights into the prime ministers and the other major politicians of this period, and it both bought back memories and gave new insights into events and the key people involved

On the other side, the book does jump around a bit and is more a collection of anecdotes than a linear narrative of events. There is little content of any real depth, instead it focuses more on amusing stories and high level analysis.

It is clear that Soper did not like Jacinda Arden but it doesn't feel unfair or that laboured to me, he explains his rationale why and it is unquestionable that she is a polarising personality

[garry larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book an excellent read. Barry covered the various Prime Ministers quite fairly but also accurately, including Jacinda's Ardurn' ruinious reign during the Covid epidemic. He did extremely well in writing his book given that one of his colleagues tossed out all his carefully written notes for his book without his knowledge. I ordered it from my local library but found I could get it immediately on my Kindle for $20. When I checked yesterday with the library I was told their more than 400 ahead of me waiting for a hard copy of the book. Well done Barry.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this entertaining book. It takes a look at all the Prime Ministers that I am aware of but with an inside look that revealed the personality and politics of each. What a job to have and to visit so many countries with the various PM's and get that inside view. To meet various world figures. I am a voter although not that fully understanding of politics but I like what I like and education and economy and justice is important to me. So I read this expecting to be entertained and I was and informed too in some ways. Well worth reading.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book is a fast and easy read. Author’s opinions of PMs appear largely based on how well they regard him and whether they call him at night for his opinion - which is fair enough - it’s his memoir. Unfortunately he comes across as spiteful to those who don’t give him enough sunshine. I’d have liked a little more insight into his subjects including himself. Don’t regret reading - sufficiently interesting - just a weak tea.

[Felicity Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read - read it in a couple of days. A savvy political journalist covers the nine PMs he's worked with over his career. Would have liked more contention and gossip he must had learned in that time, but it was interesting nevertheless. He remained politically neutral which was good. QUite a bit different from my usual reads!

[Kathy Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A easy to read book He says what he thinks but what comes through is I'm a political reporter with a great knowledge of politics but never been one. Does not spare Muldoon and Ardern from fierce criticism which is well deserved.

[Dillon Balasingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of New Zealand’s political history including great anecdotes of the last 12 Prime Ministers Relatively light read with great yarns and an exclusive insight into the lives of politicians.

Definitely quite surface level and I wouldn’t consider it in depth political analysis.

[brenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed it on the whole, think it would have been a three star read if not for the insane Jacinda Ardern chapter. Dripping in misogyny, seemed to be an extremely unbalanced take on her time in office.

[Jim Coley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful sharing of Barry’s experience with NZ political leaders, the good the bad & the ugly and sprinkled with many humorous reflections.

[Margaret Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry Soper on his political life. Prine ministers from Muldoon to Christopher Luxon.
A few insights into the other reporters/ politicians that he knew and worked with.
Well written and interesting.

[Bernice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.