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The Leighton Smith Podcast

Newstalk ZB
The Leighton Smith Podcast
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388 episodes

  • The Leighton Smith Podcast

    Leighton Smith Podcast #332 - June 10th 2026 - Dr Ramesh Thakur

    10/06/2026 | 1h 44 mins.
    Dr Ramesh Thakur is well known on the Leighton Smith Podcast.
    He is an Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
    He is also a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, and a Senior Scholar at the Brownstone Institute.
    Since the birth of Covid-19 he has been tenacious in investigating the truth… and, in our opinion, very successfully.
    As a contributor to “Canary in a Climate World: Climate Realism vs the Net Zero Myth,” volume three, his chapter exceeds over 6000 words and exposes eleven shared agendas of Climate Change and Covid.
    He is at his very best.
    And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
    File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
    Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
    Listen here on iHeartRadio

    Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
    To subscribe via iTunes click here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  • The Leighton Smith Podcast

    Leighton Smith Podcast #331 - June 3rd 2026 - Barry Soper

    03/06/2026 | 1h 17 mins.
    “Based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1980, Barry Soper has covered every New Zealand Prime Minister since, earning a reputation for his sharp questioning, wit, and deep institutional knowledge of Wellington politics.”
    Barry’s contribution to New Zealand journalism saw him recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, where he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
    He’s had a long and fascinating career and continues it still as Newstalk ZB’s senior political correspondent.
    His book, ‘One Last Question, Prime Minister’, now in its fourth print, was our excuse to have a most enjoyable conversation in episode #331.
    And as always, we finish in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
    File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
    Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
    Listen here on iHeartRadio

    Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
    To subscribe via iTunes click here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  • The Leighton Smith Podcast

    Leighton Smith Podcast #330 - May 27th 2026 - Thorsten Polleit

    27/05/2026 | 1h 4 mins.
    "Socialism is based on bureaucratic planning. This means a restriction of personal freedom. The dream of equality, a goal even of democratically dressed up socialism, can only be achieved by coercion."
    Thorsten Polleit shows ways in which democratic socialism moves toward a globally planned state.
    His book ‘The Global Currency Plot’ looks at the way money is used as a political tool, unpacking the agendas of those who wield political power.
    Polleit guests on this episode of the podcast to unpack his stance, and of course, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
    File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
    Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
    Listen here on iHeartRadio

    Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
    To subscribe via iTunes click here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  • The Leighton Smith Podcast

    Leighton Smith Podcast #329 - May 20th 2026 - Leonard S. Hong

    20/05/2026 | 1h 26 mins.
    Leonard S. Hong arrived in New Zealand at the age of three.
    His story is one of choosing the right parents, hard work, and applied effort to succeed.
    At age 29 he has a Master of Science and has completed a Prime Ministerial Scholarship to Asia. He’s worked in Perth and Singapore, and speaks both English and Korean fluently.
    He is a valuable citizen.
    But why are he and so many of his friends angry and leaving NZ?
    Leonard S. Hong in conversation, discusses New Zealand’s economic malaise, the brain drain to Australia, Singapore’s development model, meritocracy, and the future facing young New Zealanders.
    And as always, we checked the Mailroom with Mrs Producer, and concluded with climate matters.
    File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
    Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
    Listen here on iHeartRadio

    Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
    To subscribe via iTunes click here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  • The Leighton Smith Podcast

    Leighton Smith Podcast #328 - May 13th 2026 - Oliver Hartwich

    13/05/2026 | 1h 26 mins.
    An inventive way to encourage the understanding of the stupidity in New Zealand's governance...
    Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, has authored a novella, ‘The Martian Audit: Or, How New Zealand Repelled an Invasion Through Procedural Complexity’.
    It’s a satirical work in which Martian invaders are held off and eventually sent packing by the country’s planning system, consultation requirements, and public service culture.
    The novella is meant to entertain but reeks of reality – especially for those who have been challenged by the system.
    We also bring to your attention the latest, very significant, information about climate change.
    And we end in the mailroom with Mrs Producer.
    File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz
    Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.
    Listen here on iHeartRadio

    Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
    To subscribe via iTunes click here

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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About The Leighton Smith Podcast
After 33 years behind the Newstalk ZB microphone, Leighton can’t give it up completely. There were so many requests to continue his opinionated commentary that the prospect of podcasting was born.So, without restriction, Leighton continues to serve up on everything you want to hear about and some things you don’t. Stand by to be enlightened, educated and enraged!
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