The Leighton Smith Podcast

Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2024.

An insidious phenomenon has become widely evident around the western world, and it is alive and well in New Zealand. 

The attack has been against every institution that props up the pillars of our democratic freedom.

Retired Judge Anthony Willy justifies his accusations (from his essay “Blowing In the Wind”, NZCPR.com).

It’s an importan...

Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2024.

Since 2020, the W.H.O. has orchestrated and condoned one of the most devastating assaults on individual and societal health the world has seen.

At the behest of highly conflicted sponsors, this international bureaucracy promoted policies that overwhelmingly harmed the world’s disadvantaged.

Lacking any contrition, the W.H.O. is now seeking i...

Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2024.

One of the best and most interesting interviews we’ve done.

Tony O’Brien was born and raised in New Zealand. His life has followed a fascinating path, working in Australia, Britain, Canada, Hungary and beyond in a variety of capacities.

In his work he "did not have a plan, just took advantage of opportunities as they presented."

He is intell...

We can’t think of a better way to finish the year.

The legendary Antoine’s Restaurant in Parnell is now a memory.

The Chef was a virtuoso who would have succeeded anywhere in the world. Instead the world came to 333 Parnell Rd.

During its nigh on 50 years, Antoine’s suffered numerous crises, dictated by stock market crashes, business trends and government changes.

But then came Covid, accompanied by a juvenile govt. One night Antio...

Australian journalist and author Nick Cater has been a guest on numerous occasions, beginning on radio in 2013.

Not having spoken for a year, we caught up on Thanksgiving Eve while he was in New York.

The plan was to discuss Australia’s pros and cons (of which there are many), for the benefit of intending migrants.

There is something of a diaspora from NZ at the moment.

As usual it was a relaxed but informative interview.

We make c...

The Treaty Principles Bill isn’t responsible for the racial and political ructions confronting New Zealand.

It has more to do with a lack of courage and political leadership by previous administrations.

We start the discussion with David Seymour at the beginning and follow the events that threaten the country’s  future.

The ultimate questions might be what sort of a country do we want to live in, and are we mature enough to ta...

Education in NZ has long been controversial.

It’s not incorrect to suggest that a Labour Education Minister has an easier task than a more ‘conservative’ party minister (i.e. National’s Merv Wellington in the 1980’s.)

Similar circumstances apply in other countries. Donald Trump returns to the Presidency with intent to eliminate the Department of Education and return the responsibility to the States.

There are some valid reasons for...

Since 2020, the W.H.O. has orchestrated and condoned one of the most devastating assaults on individual and societal health the world has seen.

At the behest of highly conflicted sponsors, this international bureaucracy promoted policies that overwhelmingly harmed the world’s disadvantaged.

Lacking any contrition, the W.H.O. is now seeking increased public funding through misrepresentation of risk and return on investment to entren...

When we wound up our election day discussion, I suggested to Patrick Basham that we do a follow up "if warranted". It was warranted in multiples, so around midnight on election night we recorded the interview for 264. There is insight that you won’t hear elsewhere. Have a listen.

And following we have included comment from elsewhere that is worthy of a hearing.

Oh, and at the last second we received an email headed “Most accurate U...

The Free Speech Union is proving its worth with a number of successful international speakers to New Zealand.

The latest is Professor Nigel Biggar, who amongst a number of contributions to the cause wrote “The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2021".

He proved to be a most interesting, informative and entertaining guest.

Patrick Basham provided exit poll numbers from his Democracy Institute and the Daily Express.

And we vis...

Power supply issues are challenging much if not most of the world - why? Could it be the recklessness of net zero?

Power engineer Bryan Leyland expresses serious concern, as shortages translate into higher prices.

At the same time, Australia is talking increasingly about Nuclear power - shouldn’t we?

Meanwhile, a Telegraph article in London suggests that the young are fleeing Britain. Christian Smith updates his views on life in th...

An insidious phenomenon has become widely evident around the western world, and it is alive and well in New Zealand. 

The attack has been against every institution that props up the pillars of our democratic freedom.

Retired Judge Anthony Willy justifies his accusations (from his essay “Blowing In the Wind”, NZCPR.com).

It’s an important document that should be studied in every school.

We have comment on the Presidential elect...

“Who Makes the Law? Reining in the Supreme Court”.

This report by Roger Partridge, lawyer and Chairman of the NZ Initiative, challenges the Supreme Court’s overreach or activism in recent cases and the constitutional implications.

Judicial activism is in a word, dangerous for democracy.

This is a most important matter and it needs the attention of Parliament.

And we venture into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments an...

This week we have responded to enquiries as to whether Patrick Basham will make a return before the Presidential election

He brings some new polling numbers from Democracy Institute, along with his exceptional analysis.

We proffer our thoughts on multiculturalism, and share what we have in common with Jeremy Clarkson.

And we delve into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

Ha...

Two years ago, in podcast 151, we interviewed Ashley Rindsberg on “The Gray Lady Winked”, his book critiquing the New York Times.

At the time he was domiciled in Israel. The interview was peppered with the occasional sound of rockets. 

With the recent outbreak of conflict, talking with Rindsberg again was an obvious decision.

We visit a very good Mailroom this week with Mrs Producer. Thanks, as always, to all of you who contri...

Dr Paul Marik belongs to a group of physicians who have devoted their lives to their patients survival, and effectively been punished for it.

How can a man with a reputation as the “most published and influential clinician and researcher in critical care medicine in the United States" be forced from his career?

And we introduce a simple but useful addition to the podcast, after the Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and...

Kamala Harris, the Democrat contender for the U.S. presidency was the most socialist member of the Senate.

Further left than Bernie Sanders, she has more recently been tagged a Marxist.

But is she? In fact, what is she? That is the most asked question amongst undecided voters.

For answers, who better to consult than a Professor of Marxism. Michael Rectenwald was a devout Marxist until he saw the light and recanted.

After guesting o...

The Sir John Graham Lecture 2024 guest speaker was Professor Nicholas Aroney, from the University of Queensland.

The speech was entitled “The Compass of Character”. It explored law, education and religion, and their roles in the formation of character.

In a most interesting conversation we covered the talk and, amongst other things, the threat on democracy.

There’s a brief analysis of Kamala Harris and yet another great mailroom wi...

New Zealand men and women are being encouraged to pay attention to the court decision in the case of “Tickle v Giggle”.

Why be interested in a comedic sounding Australian judge's decision?

Well, the...