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The Leighton Smith Podcast

by Newstalk ZB

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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Episodes

  1. Leighton Smith Podcast #350 - October 21st 2026 - Shane Jones

    In Podcast 350, the NZ First Deputy Leader presents the case for both himself and the party. Even Mr Jones confesses the he can be a little aggressive at times. Or as he puts it, “brutal at times”. However, honest communication is always welcome and constructive. His manner of delivery always...

  2. Leighton Smith Podcast #349 - October 14th 2026 - John Banks

    In podcast 349 we continue our series featuring long-serving politicians who know the game inside out, and have a real contribution to make. This week we chat with political veteran John Banks on politics and principles for living. He has dedicated most of his life to politics, devoting a lengthy...

  3. Leighton Smith Podcast #348 - October 7th 2026 - Rodney Hide (Part 2)

    When we arranged the interview with ex politician Rodney Hide, we didn’t preplan a list of issues. That could have led to an early conclusion. Instead we breezed through two hours with ease. That evolved into two separate podcasts, including analysis of the election and its major implications for...

  4. Leighton Smith Podcast #347 - September 30th 2026 - Rodney Hide (Part 1)

    Rodney Hide entered Parliament as a list member of the ACT Party in 1996. He became ACT Leader in 2004, and following the 2008 election he was appointed Minister for three portfolios; Local Government, Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Commerce. His degrees in science and economics lent...

  5. Leighton Smith Podcast #346 - September 23rd 2026 - Jim Allan

    Prof. James Allan is a highly respected thinker, speaker, debater and a man of intelligence and knowledge. He is also an accomplished author and columnist. Canadian born and educated, he taught law at Otago University for eleven years, moved to ANU Canberra and then to a prestigious position at…

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  6. Leighton Smith Podcast #345 - September 16th 2026 - Alwyn Poole

    Alwyn Poole; Education & More. “The first point on how to improve all things education in NZ is that, so long as any government thinks that they are the podium of truth in this area, they will fail and all improvements will be marginal (at best)”. This was written by educational consultant Alwyn...

  7. Leighton Smith Podcast #344 - September 9th 2026 - David Schnauer

    New Zealand once ranked among the world’s most prosperous nations. Not any longer. Armed with experience in both Law and Economics, retired lawyer David Schnauer spent a year writing “UNCOMFORTABLE ECONOMICS”. His purpose; to show that New Zealand’s underperformance is fixable. He challenges both...

  8. Leighton Smith Podcast #343 - September 2nd 2026 - Michael F. Spratt

    After a casual visit to New Zealand, this small American family couldn’t forget it. Mike and his wife went home, sold up everything and moved here. It’s a journey of discovery, heartbreak, redemption and triumph. They were told they were on a fool’s errand; that the standards they set were...

  9. Leighton Smith Podcast #342 - August 26th 2026 - Ashley Church

    In these times it’s difficult to stay updated with the “good, the bad and the ugly.” In this environment it’s easy to be ill-informed. Independent commentator Ashley Church has been analysing virtually every issue that affects society and our lives. Steeped in a background of politics, economics,...

  10. Leighton Smith Podcast - August 19th 2026 - Shane Jones

    As Leighton is on a short break, for this week's episode we dig into the archives for a repeat of his interview with NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones from earlier in the year. Back next week with episode #342. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR...

  11. Leighton Smith Podcast #341 - August 12th 2026 - 100 Years of ZB

    With the celebration of 100 years of broadcasting from 1ZB, we have devoted Podcast 341 to three interviews with the station's past and present management: Bill Francis, Dallas Gurney & Jason Winstanley. Over the years there have been many moments of drama, humour… and sometimes chaos. Find out…

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  12. Leighton Smith Podcast #340 - August 5th 2026 - Patrick Basham

    Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world - so much so that it’s difficult to keep pace. Take America for example. A transformation is underway that has not yet been fully recognised for what it is or what it could become. The same may be said of Australia, England, much of Europe and...

  13. Leighton Smith Podcast #339 - July 29th 2026 - Don Brash

    Worries about the outcome emerge in almost every election. This 2026 election has much of the constituency concerned about a result that could lead to the end of the country as we know it. Don Brash, arguably the best Reserve Bank Governor we’ve known, voices his thoughts on the matters he…

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  14. Leighton Smith Podcast #338 - July 22nd 2026 - Sarah Irving-Stonebraker

    In our culture today there is a strange set of attitudes toward history. On one hand there’s a highly politicised approach to the past, in which people care passionately about history’s symbols and what they represent. And on the other hand, we know less than ever about history. We have largely...

  15. Leighton Smith Podcast #337 - July 15th 2026 - Salvatore Babones

    Salvatore Babones is a quantitative comparative sociologist (explained in the interview), at the University of Sydney. He is an American living in Australia, and in his most recent book displays his knowledge of India. The book is "Dharma Democracy; How India Built the Third World’s First...

  16. Leighton Smith Podcast #336 - July 8th 2026 - J R Bruning

    JR Bruning analyses her article, “An Election Agreement that has locked in a Road User Charging Revolution” and asks why this was necessary in the first place. Crucially, how it will affect every one of us? Investigative writer JR Bruning (aka Jodie Bruning) covers a range of topics; sociological...

  17. Leighton Smith Podcast #335 - July 1st 2026 - Muriel Newman

    The New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR) was established twenty one years ago. Founded by Muriel Newman, the NZCPR is more important now than ever as an independent public policy think tank. In this election year, New Zealand is arguably facing its biggest challenge to date.…

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  18. Leighton Smith Podcast #334 - June 24th 2026 - Nick Cater

    Proven favourite Nick Cater turns up for the first time this year. Unsurprisingly, the Australian economy leads the discussion. We focus on the trio of hopeless politicians at the absolute peak of state power. Nick shares his reaction to Pauline Hanson, and Angus Taylor, the new leader of the...

  19. Leighton Smith Podcast #333 - June 17th 2026 - Dr George Friedman

    Depending on perspective, it’s not difficult to agree with George Friedman’s interpretations of “how the world turns”. I first met George in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1983 where he was a Professor at the United States War College. It was instantly obvious that the professors knowledge in his...

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

    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…

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

    “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...

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

    "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…

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

    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...

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

    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...

  25. Leighton Smith Podcast #327 - May 6th 2026 - David Bell

    The International Health Reform Project (IHRP) is aiming to restore a rational framework to the polarised debate surrounding the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their intent is to rebuild international health governance on a basis of ethics, evidence, and sovereign responsibility – publishing a...

  26. Leighton Smith Podcast #326 - April 29th 2026 - Rodney Hide

    I’ve known Rodney Hide for a long time; through his career in politics and beyond. I’ve seen changes in his life, both personal and professional. He is still making adjustments, because he’s a man who pursues philosophy and knowledge, and isn’t afraid of making corrections. It’s been over a year...

  27. Leighton Smith Podcast #325 - April 22nd 2026 - Guy Hatchard

    "The science behind the risk of myocarditis following mRNA vaccination’, "A wake up call - The adverse health effects of forever genetic compounds” and "Biotech cannot be allowed a right to secrecy”. These are all commentaries by Guy Hatchard PhD, published in the month of April. And after the...

  28. Leighton Smith Podcast #324 - April 15th 2026 - Lars Schernikau

    It is no exaggeration to say that New Zealand has a major energy crisis. Energy policy is at the base of everything. Energy is only about 6% to 8% of GDP but without energy, there is no GDP. Energy is the economy and "if you don’t have everything right we are running into big trouble in every...

  29. Leighton Smith Podcast #323 - April 8th 2026 - George Friedman

    George Friedman, from Geopolitical Futures guested on Podcast 318, five weeks ago. As the Iran war has developed into a longer and much more serious event, it was appropriate to muster his knowledge and expertise for an update. Knowing that there were threats for ever greater expansion of the...

  30. Leighton Smith Podcast #322 - April 1st 2026 - Louise Clegg

    “The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ rarely passes the lips of our most senior lawyers, judges, or academics. Like many in the professional classes, lawyers have become cheerleaders for most fashionable progressive causes, abandoning the caution and prudence that once defined the discipline....

  31. Leighton Smith Podcast #321 - March 25th 2026 - Ramesh Thakur

    "The Right to Health Sovereignty concludes that the restoration of trust in international health governance depends on rediscovering the moral foundations of medicine and public health, and the sovereign responsibility of the nation state. An International Health Organisation built on sovereignty...

  32. Leighton Smith Podcast #320 - March 18th 2026 - Patrick Basham

    In the 13 years since I first interviewed Patrick Basham, Director of the Democracy Institute in Washington DC, he has shown himself to be an outstanding analyst and commentator. He is erudite on many fronts. His opinions on the war with Iran may not please you. But whether you’re a Trump…

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  33. Leighton Smith Podcast #319 - March 11th 2026 - Robert MacCulloch

    The recent announcement by the Reserve Bank focused on the availability of cash and ATM’s, and commercial bank branches. The Reserve Bank is currently seeking feedback on these possible changes from the public. Professor Robert MacCulloch, (who once worked at the Reserve Bank), is forthright in…

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  34. Leighton Smith Podcast #318 - March 4th 2026 - George Friedman

    Media around the world has been engrossed with reporting, speculating, and arguing the case over the war with Iran. While it may have been ‘out of the blue’ for many, the conflict came as no surprise to those following the developments in the Middle East. George Friedman, Chairman and Founder of...

  35. Leighton Smith Podcast #317 - February 25th 2026 - Jim Allan

    For some considerable time, in countries with judicial systems like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the U.S., the senior courts have been expanding their power. Professor Jim Allan was commissioned to write an appraisal of a new 600+ page book for a U.S. law journal. In summary, he concluded...

  36. Leighton Smith Podcast #316 - February 18th 2026 - Dr Mike Schmidt

    There are numerous approaches to management: Legacy, Ideological, Corporate, and Political Management. These combine to produce a system that cannot sustain long-term strategies. “Cultivation Management is the alternative.” According to Dr Mike Schmidt, it is also the approach that Christopher...

  37. Leighton Smith Podcast #315 - February 11th 2026 - Shane Jones

    Having spent two weeks in Australia, post New Year, Leighton & Carolyn are pleased to be home. Sydney was sweltering as is the political scenery. Nevertheless a good time was had. Now it’s back to business for 2026, the eighth year of the podcast. Interestingly there was much inquiry about two...

  38. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: James Bovard - February 4th 2026

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. James Bovard is a Libertarian Journalist and Author. Thirteen books published. In his first ’The Farm Fiasco’ (1989) he referenced NZ as a world leader in farming. In 1994 came ‘Lost Rights; The…

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  39. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Dr Robert Clancy - January 28th 2026

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy is a leading Australian immunologist and pioneer in the field of mucosal immunology. He is known for his research and development of therapies for Chronic Obstructive...

  40. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: John Alcock - January 21st 2026

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. John Alcock updates us on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC’s) after the groundwork he laid down eighteen months ago on this podcast. Within the last couple of weeks, two of the biggest NZ Banks have...

  41. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Ramesh Thakur - January 14th 2026

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. Ramesh Thakur has a world of history, literally, in international affairs. He has taught at a number of Universities including Otago and the ANU, Canberra. But his time spent at the United Nations,...

  42. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Dr Pierre Kory - January 7th 2026

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. Prior to Covid-19, Dr Pierre Kory was an internationally renowned pioneer in the field of critical care ultra-sonography; equally so in other areas of medicine. In 2023 he published “The War on Ivermectin:...

  43. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Martin Durkin - December 31st 2025

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. In 2007, Documentary maker Martin Durkin produced “The Great Global Warming Swindle”. With 17 more years of predictions, Durkin has released “Climate: The Movie, The Cold Truth”. By utilising facts,...

  44. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Antonia Colibasanu - December 24th 2025

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. Romanians are still navigating the difficult path of building democratic institutions and a culture of transparency. At the same time, widespread perceptions of corruption and cronyism have caused many...

  45. Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: James Allan - December 17th 2025

    Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025. The term “lawfare” is getting plenty of attention; basically it represents the corruption that’s becoming more widespread in the courtrooms of the Western world. Judicial activism and the politicisation of...

  46. Leighton Smith Podcast #314 - December 10th 2025 - Mike Sabin

    Mike Sabin has been a very busy man. He joined the NZ Police in 1996 and was stationed in Auckland and up north. He specialised in drug enforcement, especially methamphetamine, (otherwise known as P). He was one of the first specialised Clandestine Drug Laboratory task force members responsible…

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  47. Leighton Smith Podcast #313 - December 3rd 2025 - Dr William Happer

    Dr William Happer is an American physicist, author of 200 plus peer-reviewed scientific papers and co-founder of the CO2 Coalition. Dr Happer will assure you that there is no climate emergency. If you think otherwise, “you have been misled”. Happer’s analyses of 'Net Zero’ is timely for a country...

  48. Leighton Smith Podcast #312 - November 26th 2025 - John Alcock

    John Alcock updates us on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC’s) after the groundwork he laid down eighteen months ago on this podcast. Within the last couple of weeks, two of the biggest NZ Banks have implemented mandatory behavioural and device-level surveillance as a condition of online and...

  49. Leighton Smith Podcast #311 - November 19th 2025 - Lord David Wolfson

    David Wolfson (Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, KC) is one of the most sought-after commercial Silks at the Bar. He served as Minister of Justice in the House of Lords between 2020 and 2022, and is now the shadow Attorney General in addition to his full time legal practice. Wolfson is a man of…

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  50. Leighton Smith Podcast #310 - November 12th 2025 - Stephen Rowe

    Interviewing Stephen Rowe exceeded expectations. He shines as an example of achievement, success and self belief. If you’re looking for someone to model your life on, he’s the ideal candidate. After graduating in 2015, Stephen joined Charlie Kirk’s newly founded Turning Point USA. From there…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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!

HOSTED BY

Newstalk ZB

Produced by NZME

CATEGORIES

news

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Leighton Smith Podcast have?

The Leighton Smith Podcast currently has 406 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Leighton Smith Podcast about?

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...

How often does The Leighton Smith Podcast release new episodes?

The Leighton Smith Podcast publishes regularly with 406 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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You can listen to The Leighton Smith Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Leighton Smith Podcast?

The Leighton Smith Podcast is created and hosted by Newstalk ZB.
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