The Leighton Smith Podcast

In this week's podcast:  XR — otherwise known as Extinction Rebellion. We examine their history and, more importantly, their ambition. Are they just a Green subset or something more dangerous? Impeachment — a beginners analysis of ‘high crimes and misdemeanours’. On what grounds can a U.S. president be thrown out of office? Not as straightforward as you might think. Michael Bassett rates the Labou...

In this week’s podcast we talk debt, investments, negative interest and Q.E. The thoughts of a fiction writer who specialises in dystopian subjects. And another who writes non-fiction but can be dystopian nevertheless. I drew up a list of matters for this interview with George Friedman. Right off the cuff, he bats them away. Some very good correspondence with Carolyn and did I mention climate? (ju...

In podcast 39 - Auckland is cursed with its system of local government. Council-controlled organisations like Auckland Transport are unelected and unaccountable. Faceless bureaucrats making and changing rules for their own political agenda. And overpaid to boot! We look at Trump from two different academic perspectives. Only one gets it. This podcast’s discussion is with a favourite of mine. Patri...

On the podcast this week - Questions and concerns around the building and construction industry peaked when the leaky home/building catastrophe was exposed. While that issue is being dealt with, reports suggest there are still problems with standards, failings, and trade education and training. I speak to structural engineer John Scarry about his frustrations with the industry. And he is not alone...

As the weeks go by, the podcast menu is forced to deal with the same subjects. You know, Brexit, Climate, Trump et al. It’s like radio serial or a comic strip. Or the latest episode of ‘As the World Turns’! The ‘impeachment’ in Washington (which is NOT an impeachment at this point), is actually politics at its most polluted. This week I speak with Professor Emeritus Jim Flynn of Otago on censorshi...

Podcast 36 was more than a little frustrating; for what I didn’t/couldn’t include. But there’s always podcast 37/8/9 etc. Nevertheless, discussion is still dominated by Trump related issues, Joe Biden, climate matters, particularly of the juvenile kind, and censorship. In fact, both this weeks and next weeks’ interviews both pertain to censorship, which is becoming more prevalent and needs to be e...

Good to be back home. This week, politicians including Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, Jacinda Ardern. Michael Mann, Political scientist. Lost in his lawsuit against Dr Tim Ball and his complaint against the NZH, albeit in 2004. But at least there’s consistency! A conversation with Casey Costello, from Hobson’s Pledge Trust about transparency and accountability in local government. There is an attempt...

To suggest that the world is an interesting place at the moment is an understatement. Brexit, NZ politics in all its non-glory, the Middle East is pretty much in turmoil. So this week follows the trail: the P.M, the Party, Brett Kavanaugh and Dostoevsky. Discussion this week with a NZ London based lawyer who shares his interest in politics. Christian Smith and his thoughts on Brexit, where it’s at...

On this week’s podcast, Dr Tim Ball Part 2 on the politics behind the climate change alarmism. As I have said so often, there is new information almost every day, some of it vital. However, it rarely appears in the mainstream media. Two examples since I spoke with Dr Ball. On September 6, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Society says he does not accept arguments of climate alarmis...

This week George Friedman’s wisdom on China and much more. Very insightful. Also some detail on his next book. We cover measles, the birth rate and why it is, or could be, maybe, the biggest crisis facing the planet! Up for discussion - the importance of character in life and how to get it. And find out why this week’s episode was so difficult to produce. Some great feedback with Mrs Producer. Get...

On the podcast this week -  Some details of the much awaited decision in the case of Mann v Ball.     American Michael Mann of hockey stick infamy sued Canadian Dr Tim Ball for libel in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. A fascinating case. We discuss teacher’s pay and why some teachers should be paid a lot more. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and the ‘flying shame’ stupidity. Iran is one of the most p...

It is always intriguing how stories align. How coincidence plays a role in life. For instance there was a New Zealand education story on Sunday, followed by an Australian story on Monday followed by a……well, it’s all in the podcast this week. Prisoners voting. Here we go again chasing our collective tail. And we talk with Currency Wars author James (Jim) Rickards about his new book Aftermath, Seve...

On the podcast this week - Jeffrey Epstein is everywhere in the media, we take a closer look. We also talk gun laws, climate change (of course) and one or two other matters. We also talk to Jacob Shapiro from Geopolitical futures about China, and the connection with Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. And Carolyn with feedback as always. Get in touch:  Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't l...

On this weeks podcast:Apologies for this week's podcast arriving a little later than you maybe expected it to be. I wanted to hear the Reserve Bank’s OCR and pass comment. You may disagree but you can always email me why. Two mass murders in the United States within a short space of time has elevated the gun debate yet again. That discussion in all its rawness will prevail until the next election....

On the podcast this week - Ihumatao, what’s it all about? Winston Peters says it’s not another Bastion Point, some say it’s a 'family’ squabble, or is it a legal matter? Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Will Boris match my expectations? So far it’s happy trails! ‘Portia Faces Life’. Or Not? So who’s Portia? Find out. I’ve had a number of requests to bring back Jonathan Urlich. So – he’s back. A se...

On the podcast this week — Crazy suggestions from Treasury regarding how to deal with a tragic economy, if and when. Helicopter money! As in print more and give it away. If we reach that point then we’ll all be reaching for the bottle. Or Panadol, AND lots of it. The Middle East is sparking yet again. One day it will boil over. Let’s hope that day is not yet here but nerves are starting to stretch...

On the podcast this week — There is plenty of discussion globally about the state of the world. Politics, economy, housing, migration legal and especially otherwise, and of course climate. I say it’s a MAD world and explain why. And in explaining why it’s only scratching the surface. Auckland has been poorly governed for some years and the Council election is upon us. For those living in the zone...

On the podcast this week, you can applaud or hiss as we have commentary on: - Electric Vehicle subsidies vs real cars punishment. Assistant Transport Minister, Julie Ann Genter, who announced the Government policy on restricting freedom ever further - Trump’s lack of decorum for which he is constantly criticised - why that maybe is a good thing. - We pay tribute to a great journalist And we also h...

I’ve always liked Alan Duff. Well, as close to always as I remember. He’s got guts, courage and determination. He doesn’t pull punches. And it’s been a while since I talked to him. Alan’s new book, A Conversation With My Country, gave us the chance. The discussion runs for forty minutes but I wasn’t watching the clock.  For those who are unfamiliar with Duff, let me introduce you. There was so man...

This week’s podcast sees the return of George Friedman. Much to discuss, especially the geopolitics of Donald Trump. Israel Folau - the subject will not go away. In fact, it has taken on a whole new and bigger perspective. Boris Johnson; is Max Hastings right in his criticism? Uh, no; make that attempted total demolition. And a little more climate. Get in touch:  Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't...

This week's podcast is a special edition. Some weeks ago I promised a climate devoted program. Many have let me know how much they have been anticipating it. Some with how frustrated they are in the waiting. This podcast is not what I first had in mind. Canadian climatologist Dr Tim Ball was most generous with his time and you can now hear the result. Tim has devoted many years to exposing the fra...

It’s not often we will play music but with the death of Mac Rebennack, aka Dr John, it would have been unthinkable not to. Thank you to those of you who emailed comments. Saturday’s NZ Herald column is a tribute to a man who was very special to me. Also – a comment on the ‘inch by inch’ encroachment of E matters into our lives. California sets the Progressive pace in yet another first. And coffee,...

On the podcast this week, we talk China, Trump in London, and a little on the economy. Australian P.M. Scott Morrison is countering China’s advances in the Pacific. It’s time someone did. Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist suggests Australia is the canary in China’s coal mine. Joining me this week is Sarah Bearne, is a science and maths teacher and it’s a conversation about many aspects o...

This week on the podcast: Grover Norquist, the founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform. He was a speechwriter in the Reagan Administration, is a contributing editor to American Spectator magazine, and has written four books. He was described as “the dark wizard of the Right’s anti-tax cult” - a not necessarily flattering remark from Ariana Huffington. He is fascinating. Before and after...

On the podcast this week, the Government plans a $320 million spend over four years on a wellness campaign. The money will be dedicated to changing the countries statistics on domestic violence and sexual assault. Will it work? Will it have any real effect? I’m not so sure. Also, the Australian election was unreal. We talk with Nick Cater, Executive Director of the Menzies Research Centre. Nick se...