Jacinda Ardern's media man on five seismic years
Toby Manhire speaks to Andrew Campbell, former media man for Jacinda Ardern, about steering the former PM’s communications strategy through a laundry list of national crises, and to Emma Gleason about a classic local album that turns 25 this year.
13 Oct 2026
More about the episode
Andrew Campbell was chief press secretary to prime minister Jacinda Ardern through crisis after crisis: the March 15 massacre in Christchurch, the Whakaari (White Island) disaster, and the Covid pandemic. On the publication of his new book, In the Room, Campbell joins Toby to talk through what they got right, what they got wrong, and why there is such an enduring depth of feeling about Ardern today. He also recounts his own approach to the communications role, personal struggle with alcoholism, and how booze has become entwined with the political-media sphere.
Plus: Emma Gleason on Che Fu’s great New Zealand album, Navigator, turning 25.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Bridget Mills and The Spinoff.
