Three NZ academics have recently written that NZ’s Tertiary Education Sector is in deep financial crisis, and that our universities are losing their best people. At the same time a new private institution, the University of Austin, Texas, is prepping for its opening. We speak with Jacob Howland, Director of the Intellectual Foundation Program from the university, on how ideology has poisoned the West. And we make a visit to The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Lei...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 25 min
With the election over (apart from half a million votes still to be counted), we look at how the country can encourage a more positive approach to economic recovery. “Commerce beats politics, every time.” This quote comes from our guest, Earl Rattray, prominent businessman and lifetime participant in the dairy industry. We look at a different perspective on the Middle East, from Barry Brownstein “Why Civilisation is at Stake”. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and c...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 20 min
Is Democracy a failed idea? How badly has Ardernism damaged the country? We also discuss the failure of the judicial system with retired judge Anthony Willy, on the eve of the most important election of our lifetime. Words of warning from Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Israel and beyond, and 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...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 16 min
During September, London cardiologist Aseem Malhotra toured New Zealand giving talks on matters covid. Overseas, he has been tagged controversial (controversy has a place in science). We interviewed Malhotra, so you could have access to his opinions and decide for yourself. We share another submission from the former National Party MP and we make further comment on the upcoming election. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz H...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 31 min
John Banks spent 21 years in Parliament. For many of those years, he held high profile ministerial portfolios. He was also a two term Mayor of Auckland. This week, he gives us his stark and honest account of NZ’s current position. He concludes that the election must provide “the change of direction the country so desperately needs”. If you agree you’ll enjoy the discussion. If you’re happy with the status quo, you’ll find out why you’ll change your mind. We comment on Jacinda Ardern and censorsh...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 21 min
I first met George Friedman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1986. George was then a Professor at the War College. A few years later he established Stratfor.com and then in 2015, GeopoliticalFutures.com. He has authored a number of books and is now writing on the future of war in space. In this podcast, we delve into a plethora of geopolitical issues and crises, including Russia, China, the U.S. and Ukraine. We look at what might be gained or lost through this country’s declining armed services. ...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 32 min
On this week's podcast: Trust has declined at all levels at an increasing rate. Without trust we cannot operate at a successful level. With the election almost upon us, deciding who we can trust is a challenge for many. Oxford Associate Professor Thomas W. Simpson works on trust and issues at the intersection of technology and security. He is in NZ to give the 2023 Sir John Graham Lecture for the Maxim Institute, and we interviewed him a few hours after his arrival on Monday. We share an article...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 24 min
On this week's podcast: In what many think is the most important election we’ve ever had, there are many issues to consider. Arguably, freedom is the most important. Without liberty, we are not the masters of our own lives. New Zealanders have experienced this over the last few years. Therefore party policies that could affect our free choice need thorough examination. We talk about what is at stake with Guy Hatchard. We have a few thoughts on Hipkins and co-governance, and some intelligence fro...
Sep 06, 2023•1 hr 25 min
On this week's podcast: Professor James Allan last guested in podcast 160. The subject was He Puapua. He returns to discuss our election, Jordan Peterson, The Voice, and Trumps legal challenges. Jim encourages any so-called conservative parties to “fight the culture wars”. Has any party in New Zealand got the required courage? Is there “weaponised collusion” between The White House and the DOJ? And what are the top universities and law schools teaching? It’s a broad and energetic conversation. A...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 44 min
On this week's podcast: Stephen Jennings is a Kiwi expat. His first job after university was with Treasury in 1984, a noted time of economic and political change. Jennings life has centred around change ever since. Working in Australia and NZ, followed by London and in 1992, Moscow until 2013. Now he’s building cities in Africa. His critique of New Zealand’s ongoing malaise needs to be heard before the election. We make comment on Wokeinsm, and the meeting of the BRICS countries this week; could...
Aug 23, 2023•1 hr 31 min
On this week's podcast: Turbo-charged by Covid-19 and a poverty of basic intelligence, common sense and irreparably bad ideas, the New Zealand health care system is in dire straights. We are in crisis, and, as a result, it is at the forefront of election issues. Emeritus Professor Des Gorman levels his sights on the issues and how to resolve them; especially the increasing shortage of GP’s. We pay tribute to a great man Merrill Fernando. The mailroom delivers a great collection of comment. And a...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 29 min
On this week's podcast: Sir Ian Taylor is having an interesting life. Born in Northland, raised in what today would be considered poverty, he graduated in law, became a television performer and a singer in a band; today he is a massively successful businessman. A Labour supporter over 50 years of voting, he is now less than impressed. And like many countrymen he doesn’t know how he’s going to vote come October 14. We had a vibrant discussion, even if you might not agree with him. We visit a leng...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr 29 min
On this week's podcast: London, is it still the Holy Grail for NZ expats? After 5 years in the “mother city” Christian Smith shares his thoughts and experiences with Leighton (yes, they are closely related). The cost of living, work, play, travel, advantages and otherwise, post covid and Brexit. A great discussion. Normal transmission resumes next week when Leighton and Mrs Producer return. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check...
Aug 01, 2023•55 min
On this week's podcast: When we interviewed Stephen Soukup in podcast 179, Jacinda Ardern still “had gas in the tank”, and Labour still had high hopes for this years election. Soukup's book “The Dictatorship of Woke Capital; How Political Correctness Captured Big Business” exposed the absurdities adopted by many international and local companies to the detriment of investors and customers alike. Soukup's revelations could well benefit this years election. File your comments and complaints at Lei...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 3 min
On this week's podcast: On October 5, 2022, in Podcast 175, we spoke with two insightful guests. Both were then and are now relevant to the state of the local economy and international balance of power. Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the NZ Institute spoke on productivity in the economy. Professor Salvatore Babones addressed “Putins Brain” as Russian Intellectual Alexander Dugan has been described. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min
On October 5, 2022, in podcast 175 we spoke with two insightful guests. Both were then and are now relevant to the state of play locally and internationally. Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative addressed the paucity of productivity in NZ. Associate Professor Salvatore Babones from the University of Sydney resonates on Alexander Dugan, otherwise nominated as Putin’s Brain. Thought provoking and stimulating conversation in the best of Leighton Smith. File your comments ...
Jul 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min
On this week's podcast: Lord Jonathan Sumption was appointed to the Supreme Court of the U.K. in 2012, following a career as a respected and highly regarded Q.C. and historian. In high demand as a Lecturer he has travelled the world enlightening audiences on various matters, ie; the law, constitutions, history and social matters. Described as “the Brain of Britain” this discussion displays Sumptions ability whether you agree or otherwise. And because Leighton and Mrs Producer have escaped to Lon...
Jul 11, 2023•59 min
On this week's podcast: Is the Indigenous Voice Australia's Treaty of Waitangi moment? There are differences. If the forthcoming referendum is successful, how will it affect government and life in Australia? The debate is splitting the country. If passed, the Voice will likely lead to separatism and bitterness, not reconciliation. From the Menzies Research Centre and The Australian, Nick Cater analyses the threats and any benefits there may be. Also, the Australian Communications and Media Autho...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 31 min
On this week's podcast: Every election in the last two or three decades has been "the most important ever.” I believe 2023 most certainly is. Democracy is under grave threat. Many talk of this being the last chance of redemption. Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper guests, and shares some brutal but honest truths. We also comment on New Zealand’s woke Health system and why American Doctors are rejecting it. Is Australia surrendering freedom of speech? And we visit The Mailroom...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 22 min
On this week's podcast: Ramesh Thakur, Emeritus Professor of the Crawford School of Public Policy. He has held academic appointments in Fiji, New Zealand (Otago), Canada and Australia. He has also worked at the U.N. We traverse covid, the U.S. 2024 election, the W.H.O., climate, and the assault on liberties, freedoms and human rights. We discuss the threat to the hippocratic oath via government manipulation in the health system, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 33 min
On this week's podcast: In January 2022, Judge Anthony Willy wrote a magnificent article called “Marxism - It Couldn’t Happen Here, Could It?” He guested in Podcast 142 on Feb 9, of last year. Eighteen months later, he returns to update his thoughts. His concern for NZ democracy has increased, and in the lead-up to what he calls “the most important event in our history” he expresses that concern without fear. At the back-end of 200, we draw your attention to a “Propaganda Masterpiece”, and we vi...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 28 min
On this week's podcast: State education has been in a void in New Zealand for a number of years. After spending some time as a world leader, the education field has been ploughed with incompetence. In all but a few schools. NCEA has failed, and the restructuring currently being attempted will also fail. Rangitoto Principal, Patrick Gale, explains why the country's largest school is rejecting NCEA Level 1 and creating its own diploma. The number of schools considering the same is uncertain, but i...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 34 min
On this week's podcast: He arrived in Australia from London, at age twelve with his parents. They were a poor family. But Maurice Newman graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Economics. He spent forty years in stockbroking and related areas. His list of positions included Chairmanships of Banks, a University, the Stock Exchange, and other political and charity achievements. We discussed New Zealand, he loves the place, but he is not happy with the way we are heading. We update...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 36 min
On this week's podcast: In a world of lies, scepticism is your friend. David Bell is a Public Health Physician and biotech consultant in global health. What he has to say should be heard by every thinking person in this country, and every other “free” state on the planet. As the World Health Organisation meets to convince countries to endorse changes to it’s original purpose, Dr Bell warns that “the WHO has changed and now it is a threat”. In Podcast 197 we defer to commentary on the state of th...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 38 min
On this week's podcast: Patrick Basham, founder of The Democracy Institute in Washington DC, has been in Istanbul during the recent Turkish election. He spoke with us upon his return to Washington about the changes an Erdogan loss would bring to one of the worlds most pivotal countries. We talked about the 2024 race for the U.S. presidency; is Trumps second term inevitable? And, as Patrick is British, his view on the coronation and the future of the monarchy. We broach the subject of AI, and muc...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 21 min
On this week's podcast: "Covid-19 was not merely an epidemiological crisis; it was an economic, social and moral crisis that required multidisciplinary expertise to assess and address different facets throughout the pandemic.” Auckland University Professor Ananish Chaudhuri assesses what happened, and how we can be better prepared for the inevitable next pandemic. We are in receipt of another submission from ‘a former National MP’ on the least trustworthy, incompetent government in living memory...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 20 min
On this week's podcast: Deception of the unaware is a great partnership in the hands of the dishonest. Think AI and modern technology. Executive Director of the Maxim Institute, Tim Wilson, analyses the ability of AI to both entertain and deceive. “With a general election imminent, we need to think seriously about the effects of AI and digital manipulation in New Zealand. Democracy, to operate well, requires accurate information." We have comment from lawyer Donald Dobson on government maladmini...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 18 min
On this week's podcast: Long time educationalist, Alwyn Poole, pulls no punches discussing the downside of New Zealand education. While wanting New Zealand youth to experience the pinnacle of standards, he recognises the challenges and impediments confronting that achievement. This is an interview that all New Zealand parents should hear, share it wide. Where did every new education and social fad begin? America, pretty much. We share a George Friedman commentary on the tumultuous state of that ...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 19 min
On this week's podcast: Science is in trouble. Facts have taken a back seat to ideology, and political activism masquerades as scholarship. We live in an age of increasing unreason. Can science be saved? John Staddon, Professor of Biology and Psychology and “battle-scarred” by decades of experience, urges scientists to resist the demands for their unconditional surrender. We take a look at the Biden "Ten Step Plan to Create Global Chaos”. It is maybe the only area he’s actually succeeding in. It...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 36 min
On this week's podcast: AUKUS - the joint project by the US, the UK and Australia, to provide nuclear powered submarines to the Australian navy. Undersea security is increasingly important, think Nordstream. Alessio Patalano, Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia, Kings College, London, guests with personal insight, and we begin with what’s in it for New Zealand. And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened t...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 15 min
