The Leighton Smith Podcast

On this week's podcast: We take a look at The AUKUS Alliance. New Zealand is excluded, but the introduction of nuclear powered subs into the Australian Navy has implications for us here, like it or not. Salvatore Babones, American Associate Professor at University of Sydney, examines the effects the alliance will have on this country. We turn our attention again to Wuhan. The subject of brainwashi...

On this week's podcast: I’ve been reading Jeffrey Tucker’s work for the past couple of years. He is an economist by profession, but has had a career with a far greater scope. After some time at the American Institute of Economic Research, he has recently founded the Brownstone Institute.  He provides some invaluable commentary on Covid 19 and the answer to “the single greatest danger facing humani...

On this week's podcast:If you have no political interest in Act leader David Seymour you may reappraise that opinion after you hear podcast 128. He’s not perfect, but he just might be the least imperfect politician in parliament. We make further comment on freedom of expression and Covid culture. And we look at your communication in the Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newst...

On this week's podcast: We ask whether you think democracy is under threat. Are Three Waters and He Puapua compatible with democracy? We don’t think so. But how much do you care? Muriel Newman takes a dive into the subject with us. We have commentary on education and Marxism, and sex versus progressive gender. And, of course, your missives in the Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leig...

On this week's podcast: It was a momentous week, as the United States withdrew from Afghanistan. We talk with Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Whitehead (ret) on the whole debacle, and the ensuing collapse of military integrity. He fervently expresses the widespread anger in the U.S. military. Then Patrick Basham, founding Director of the Democracy Institute, analyses the differences between the Biden a...

This weeks interview is definitely not to be missed. Aaron David Miller, author of "The End Of Greatness; Why America Can’t Have (And Doesn’t Want) Another Great President", talks crises, Afghanistan, Presidents and New Zealand. You may or may not agree with him…. We’ve had a great response to Sir John Key’s comments in the Mailroom this week. And experts…are they really experts? File your comment...

On this week's podcast: After three terms as Prime Minister, Sir John Key has been gone from politics for five years. Recently his opinion has been sought on the political landscape. We discuss Afghanistan, NZ politics, Covid, Auckland crime and plenty else. We talk with Bryan Leyland about power supply. He’s got plenty of advice for a floundering administration. Finally, the Mailroom with all you...

On this week's podcast: Rebekah Koffler talks to us about her new release, “Putin's Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America”. Born and raised in Soviet Russia, and now an American mother, she worked as an analyst for the Defence Intelligence Agency. She is concerned with the growth of authoritarianism in the U.S. We talk with Jordan Williams on the enemies of freedom and the Free Speech U...

On this week's podcast: Alwyn Poole, from the Villa Education Trust, talks about his absurd battle with the Ministry of Education and the minister. It’s crazy! And we talk with Bob McCoskrie, the national director of Family First. We discuss freedom, education, wokeism, conversion therapy and more. We ruminate over liberty and freedom and delve into the Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your commen...

On this week's podcast: We talk with Ted Rule, diplomat, investment banker, sinologist and writer. With a forty-year career behind him, in Asia and specifically in China, it makes a for a very interesting discussion. We ask him who runs China and should we be afraid of the CCP. We touch on the great famine (1958-62) and ask whether Shenzhen might even be the most exciting city in the world. Ted ta...

On this week's podcast: Semi-retired merchant banker Jonathan Urlich discusses his take on the global economy, the investment environment, Interest rates, equities, housing, the NZ economy, and more. There is further commentary on the growing dissatisfaction in the governance of the country. A story that took place in 1999 has a sequel. It exemplifies the importance of good parenting and values. A...

On this week's podcast:We talk to Wolfgang Kasper, economist, historian, linguist and traveller. Born in 1939 Germany, he was educated in London and Paris and finally settled in Australia in the early seventies. In a wide ranging interview we discuss Western Civilisation and does it have a future? The title of an essay he wrote in 2018. His views and opinions are essential listening. We also comme...

On this week's podcast: What is missing in New Zealand politics today? Not difficult to answer, when you listen to Steven Joyce deliberate on the many issues we face (one of the most important being infrastructure). We provide some commentary on hate speech laws, and communication from one of America’s most prolific analysts, Victor Davis Hanson. And, as always, we delve into the Mailroom with Mrs...

On this week's podcast: We talk with journalist, writer and former intelligence analyst Stella Morabito. Highly qualified, with degrees in Russian and Soviet history, Morabito discusses the propagandised ideas that are invading western culture. We also have commentary on the proposed hate speech laws. And, as usual, a full Mailroom. We love your contributions. File your comments and complaints at...

On this week's podcast: We entertain two guests, Dr Muriel Newman (New Zealand Centre For Political Research), and consulting engineer Bryan Leyland. They both have plenty to say, according to their fields of expertise and neither hold back. We cover power prices, electric vehicles, the Climate Commission report, free speech (or not), politics and a couple of important court cases. And, thanks to...

On this week's podcast:Adam Creighton makes his first guest appearance. For three years, he was the economics editor for The Australian. Earlier this year he became the bureau head for the paper in Washington D.C.His column “Covid-19: When Governments Started Lying to Us” earned him a guest spot this week. We talk economics, politics and social matters. There’s also a comment on the Climate Change...

On this week's podcast:Rodney Hide makes another appearance.  He is the master of a good conversation, one of the cornerstones of podcasting. The State of the Nation is a great place to start. Hide’s opinion may surprise. What follows is enjoyable, informative, certainly opinionated and indulgent. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we did. We have further commentary, and the weekly visit to th...

On this week's podcast:We have an overdue catch-up with George Friedman from Geopolitical Futures. We discuss Israel/Gaza and the Middle East, followed by China from a number of perspectives. George offers some alternative views from the mainstream media. We present a tribute to James R Flynn, an American professor who came and stayed at the University of Otago. He was also a previous guest on the...

On this week's podcast:Professor Des Gorman returns to analyse the government’s rebuild of the NZ Health System. He is not happy. We promulgate further discussion of the origin of the Covid-19 virus. Lies, deceit and fake news. And, once again, a great Mailroom. Please feel free to communicate, we very much enjoy the feedback. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't...

On this week's podcast:Dr Kevin Donnelly expounds on the curriculum in New Zealand and Australian schools. Donnelly defines the meaning of the terminology that is confusing a lot of parents, and that he feels is a danger to our children. An American educator warns the world about ’schools gone woke’.And Marxism in the American military… has the world finally gone insane? Lastly the Mailbox, with a...

On this week's podcast:“Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us,  What it Doesn’t, and Why it Matters”, is a very important new book by Dr Steven Koonin. The author argues not against current climate science but against the ‘propaganda’ of the media, politicians and activists. Koonin was chief scientist for B.P. before heading the Dept of Energy in the ObamaAdministration. A must listen, whatever...

On this week's podcast:Peter Jennings, Director of The Australian Strategic Policy Institute Executive (ASPI),  examines a myriad of issues relating to the Asia Pacific region and beyond. We cover the Australia-New Zealand relationship, growing tensions with China, and connections with the U.S and Europe. He gives his opinion on the chance of hostilities in the South China Sea. We opine on the Int...

On this week's podcast: We talk with journalist and writer Andrew Bolt. An outspoken commentator, he broadcasts five nights a week on Sky News Australia. Topics of discussion range from Five Eyes and NZ foreign policy,  and hate speech laws and their inherent dangers. Andrew Bolt has had personal experience We also provide commentary on post-truth employment and climate. And, as always, the mailro...

Richard Prebble has never been fearful of expressing himself. He says what he thinks and believes. He’s a good old-fashioned brawler when necessary. In a lengthy discussion on things that matter, and some light- heartedness as a bonus, Prebble is a must listen in podcast 107. We also make  comment on political science, climate, fear and hate speech. And, as always, we love your input with The Mail...

History teacher, author and social commentator Stephen Chavura dissects woketivists and cancel culture. He does it superbly, and explains the antidote. Retailing legend Gerry Harvey, renowned for his outspokenness, wonders whether it’s worth it. A candid interview. We comment too, on Prince Phillip, and Newspeak. And we look into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at...