The Leighton Smith Podcast

Newstalk ZB
  • 4.4 (498)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    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 for investigating and dismantling illicit P labs. In 2006 he established MethCon Group, concentrating on meth education and policy. In 2011 he entered Parliament as the National MP for Northland. Since 2019 Mike has owned and operated a private investigations business with six investigators in total. To say that this summary is just scratching the surface is an understatement. The Mailroom with Mrs Producer contains some interesting opinions. And we finish the year with comment on the increasingly Orwellian developments taking shape. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 38m

  2. 2 DEC

    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 where politicians perpetuate ill-informed attitudes, and reject the opportunity to meet with him. Dr Happer delivers much more on podcast 313. And we finish up with The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 15m

  3. 26 NOV

    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 mobile banking. The customer cannot opt out. They justify it as fraud prevention but go far beyond what is proportionate. And this is only the beginning. We discuss where to after this, and much more. And we dive into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 20m

  4. 19 NOV

    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 principle, towering over so many who come up short in that department – especially in the political world.   He recounts the background of his resignation from the Boris Johnson Administration, which was a matter of personal conviction.  Also up for discussion was Wolfson’s thoughts on Donald Trump, education, the Middle East, mass migration, and the challenges facing England.   And as always we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.  File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 21m

  5. 12 NOV

    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, like a rocket he advanced to one success after another. He has trained more than 24,000 students and leaders in digital strategy and political technology. Artificial intelligence is a specialty. There is so much more in this interview. And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 23m

  6. 5 NOV

    Leighton Smith Podcast #309 - November 5th 2025 - Tony Coleman

    In 1971, the US dollar was backed by gold. That is until President Richard Nixon disestablished that relationship.  Since then, the US dollar has lost 87% of its value, meaning that one dollar buys only 12.5% of what it could back then.  These figures were published on Sept 29, 2024. Today it is even worse.  Multi billionaire Warren Buffet described gold as a ‘pet rock’ – good for nothing. Is that a realistic comment?  Its fixed value in 1971 was US$35, it is now in the vicinity of US$4000.  This week we tackle the whys and wherefores of gold with New Zealand Gold Merchants’ Tony Coleman. We look at its commercial value and use, the central banks, the geopolitics, and the trading of it.  And finally, we dive into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.  File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 43m

  7. 29 OCT

    Leighton Smith Podcast #308 - October 29th 2025 - Professor Robert Clancy

    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 Pulmonary Disease, commonly known as emphysema. “Covid through our eyes”, edited by Robert Clancy, explains how Australian governments and health systems complied with instructions from the USA, to enrich multi-national drug companies. “Immunologists,  pharmacists, doctors and other professionals expose harm and loss caused by a seriously misguided response”. Clancy doesn’t pull his punches —  he’s articulate, honest and even entertaining. There is much to learn from his commentary, both past  and future. And, as always, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 36m

  8. 21 OCT

    Leighton Smith Podcast #307 - October 22nd 2025 - Nick Cater

    In 2013 Nick Cater published a book called  “The Lucky Culture”. In the intervening years a whole lot has changed, so he is writing a follow-up. And the essay, “Multiculturalism’s Berlin Wall Moment” (Quadrant magazine October edition) is associated with it. The essay covers the assault on western culture, beginning with Pierre Trudeau’s inability to understand the mistake he was making. And so it spread. If you’re wondering “Why State-Mandated Harmony Was Never Going to Work", there are plenty of answers in Podcast 307. And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.

    1h 28m
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4.4
out of 5
498 Ratings

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 things you don’t. Stand by to be enlightened, educated and enraged!

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