Heather du Plessis-Allan has been married to fellow political broadcaster Barry Soper since 2009, and the couple have two young children, son Iggy (born in 2022) and daughter Mackay (born in January 2025). She was born in South Africa in 1984, moved to New Zealand at 12, and has hosted Newstalk ZB’s weekday Drive show since May 2019.
Her family life has had a busy couple of years. Soper was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, and Newstalk ZB reported that the pair share the childcare of Iggy and Mackay between their broadcasting jobs. Here is what is on the record about her age, her marriage, her children and her career.
How old is Heather du Plessis-Allan?
Heather du Plessis-Allan was born in 1984, which makes her 41 or 42 as of October 2026. The NZ Herald described her as 39 and turning 40 in 2024. Her exact date of birth has not been published, so any site that gives a precise birthday is guessing.
Her height is not public either.
Who is Heather du Plessis-Allan’s husband?
Her husband is Barry Soper, the long-serving political editor and Newstalk ZB press gallery voice. Soper was born in the early 1950s, according to Wikipedia, so he is more than 30 years older than his wife. He has five adult children from two earlier marriages.
In June 2026 he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism. He has also written a memoir, One Last Question, Prime Minister.
Her wedding to Barry Soper
The couple married in 2009 in Parliament’s Grand Hall, the NZ Herald noted when it introduced her as a columnist in 2014. They are still married as of October 2026. How exactly they met has not been told in any interview we could find.
Heather du Plessis-Allan’s children
Heather du Plessis-Allan and Barry Soper have two children together.
- Iggy (son) — born on 26 February 2022. His full name is Finbar Ignatius Pieter du Plessis-Soper, and the family call him Iggy. Newstalk ZB announced the birth the same day.
- Mackay (daughter) — born on 15 January 2025, the couple’s second baby. She turned one in January 2026.
In a January 2026 interview with the NZ Woman’s Weekly, republished by the NZ Herald, she said life with two children felt easier than it did with one. When she returned from maternity leave after Iggy’s birth in April 2022, Soper stepped back to become a full-time dad while keeping some of his ZB work.
Where was Heather du Plessis-Allan born?
She was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand with her family at the age of 12. They settled in Pukekohe, and she went to high school in Tuakau before studying political science at the University of Auckland. Her South African mother, Elizabeth, is “Oumie” to the children. The family now lives in Auckland. Little else about her parents or siblings has been made public.
Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB Drive and her career
Before radio, she built a name in television news. Her career, step by step:
- Interned at TV3, then worked at Radio Live and TVNZ, where she reported for Seven Sharp and filled in as co-host.
- 2014 — joined the One News press gallery team and started writing a Herald on Sunday column.
- 2015 — became a co-host of TV3’s nightly current affairs show Story alongside Duncan Garner. That year she bought a gun online for a Story item using false details, to show how easy it was. Police later searched the Wellington flat she shared with Soper, and no charges were laid.
- 2017 — Story ended and she moved to Newstalk ZB to host Wellington Mornings.
- 13 May 2019 — took over ZB’s Drive show from Larry Williams, who had hosted it for 27 years.
- June 2025 — won the Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year at the NZ Radio & Podcast Awards.
As of October 2026 she still hosts Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays. Each show is also released as a podcast.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heather du Plessis-Allan still married to Barry Soper?
Yes. They married in 2009 and remain together as of October 2026, raising their two children in Auckland.
How many children does Heather du Plessis-Allan have?
Two: son Iggy, born in February 2022, and daughter Mackay, born in January 2025. Barry Soper also has five adult children from earlier marriages.
What did Heather du Plessis-Allan call her daughter?
Her daughter is called Mackay. She was born on 15 January 2025.
Who was Heather du Plessis-Allan's co-host on Story?
She co-hosted Story on TV3 with Duncan Garner from 2015 until the show finished in 2017.
What time is Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on?
Drive airs on Newstalk ZB from 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and each episode is released as a podcast afterwards.
