We can’t think of a better way to finish the year. The legendary Antoine’s Restaurant in Parnell is now a memory. The Chef was a virtuoso who would have succeeded anywhere in the world. Instead the world came to 333 Parnell Rd. During its nigh on 50 years, Antoine’s suffered numerous crises, dictated by stock market crashes, business trends and government changes. But then came Covid, accompanied by a juvenile govt. One night Antione's closed, without notice, and never reopened. The story of Ton...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 46 min
Australian journalist and author Nick Cater has been a guest on numerous occasions, beginning on radio in 2013. Not having spoken for a year, we caught up on Thanksgiving Eve while he was in New York. The plan was to discuss Australia’s pros and cons (of which there are many), for the benefit of intending migrants. There is something of a diaspora from NZ at the moment. As usual it was a relaxed but informative interview. We make commentary on Auckland Transport and the medical profession and th...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 30 min
The Treaty Principles Bill isn’t responsible for the racial and political ructions confronting New Zealand. It has more to do with a lack of courage and political leadership by previous administrations. We start the discussion with David Seymour at the beginning and follow the events that threaten the country’s future. The ultimate questions might be what sort of a country do we want to live in, and are we mature enough to take a good look at it? And we finish up with The Mailroom with Mrs Produ...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Education in NZ has long been controversial. It’s not incorrect to suggest that a Labour Education Minister has an easier task than a more ‘conservative’ party minister (i.e. National’s Merv Wellington in the 1980’s.) Similar circumstances apply in other countries. Donald Trump returns to the Presidency with intent to eliminate the Department of Education and return the responsibility to the States. There are some valid reasons for doing so. Are there lessons for other countries? Dr Michael John...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 32 min
Since 2020, the W.H.O. has orchestrated and condoned one of the most devastating assaults on individual and societal health the world has seen. At the behest of highly conflicted sponsors, this international bureaucracy promoted policies that overwhelmingly harmed the world’s disadvantaged. Lacking any contrition, the W.H.O. is now seeking increased public funding through misrepresentation of risk and return on investment to entrench this response. The past, present and future of the World Healt...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 31 min
When we wound up our election day discussion , I suggested to Patrick Basham that we do a follow up "if warranted". It was warranted in multiples, so around midnight on election night we recorded the interview for 264. There is insight that you won’t hear elsewhere. Have a listen. And following we have included comment from elsewhere that is worthy of a hearing. Oh, and at the last second we received an email headed “Most accurate US presidential election pollster” ! File your comments and compl...
Nov 07, 2024•57 min
The Free Speech Union is proving its worth with a number of successful international speakers to New Zealand. The latest is Professor Nigel Biggar, who amongst a number of contributions to the cause wrote “The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2021". He proved to be a most interesting, informative and entertaining guest. Patrick Basham provided exit poll numbers from his Democracy Institute and the Daily Express. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer File your comments and complain...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Power supply issues are challenging much if not most of the world - why? Could it be the recklessness of net zero? Power engineer Bryan Leyland expresses serious concern, as shortages translate into higher prices. At the same time, Australia is talking increasingly about Nuclear power - shouldn’t we? Meanwhile, a Telegraph article in London suggests that the young are fleeing Britain. Christian Smith updates his views on life in the old country. We attend to aspects of the Presidential election,...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 37 min
An insidious phenomenon has become widely evident around the western world, and it is alive and well in New Zealand. The attack has been against every institution that props up the pillars of our democratic freedom. Retired Judge Anthony Willy justifies his accusations (from his essay “Blowing In the Wind”, NZCPR.com). It’s an important document that should be studied in every school. We have comment on the Presidential election, with only two weeks to go. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Prod...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 17 min
“Who Makes the Law? Reining in the Supreme Court”. This report by Roger Partridge, lawyer and Chairman of the NZ Initiative, challenges the Supreme Court’s overreach or activism in recent cases and the constitutional implications. Judicial activism is in a word, dangerous for democracy. This is a most important matter and it needs the attention of Parliament. And we venture into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a p...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 20 min
This week we have responded to enquiries as to whether Patrick Basham will make a return before the Presidential election He brings some new polling numbers from Democracy Institute, along with his exceptional analysis. We proffer our thoughts on multiculturalism, and share what we have in common with Jeremy Clarkson. And we delve 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 g...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Two years ago, in podcast 151, we interviewed Ashley Rindsberg on “The Gray Lady Winked”, his book critiquing the New York Times. At the time he was domiciled in Israel. The interview was peppered with the occasional sound of rockets. With the recent outbreak of conflict, talking with Rindsberg again was an obvious decision. We visit a very good Mailroom this week with Mrs Producer. Thanks, as always, to all of you who contribute. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Ha...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Dr Paul Marik belongs to a group of physicians who have devoted their lives to their patients survival, and effectively been punished for it. How can a man with a reputation as the “most published and influential clinician and researcher in critical care medicine in the United States" be forced from his career? And we introduce a simple but useful addition to the podcast, after the Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a po...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Kamala Harris, the Democrat contender for the U.S. presidency was the most socialist member of the Senate. Further left than Bernie Sanders, she has more recently been tagged a Marxist. But is she? In fact, what is she? That is the most asked question amongst undecided voters. For answers, who better to consult than a Professor of Marxism. Michael Rectenwald was a devout Marxist until he saw the light and recanted. After guesting on podcasts in 2021 & 2022, Rectenwald returns to give us answ...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 31 min
The Sir John Graham Lecture 2024 guest speaker was Professor Nicholas Aroney, from the University of Queensland. The speech was entitled “The Compass of Character”. It explored law, education and religion, and their roles in the formation of character. In a most interesting conversation we covered the talk and, amongst other things, the threat on democracy. There’s a brief analysis of Kamala Harris and yet another great mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@ne...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min
New Zealand men and women are being encouraged to pay attention to the court decision in the case of “Tickle v Giggle”. Why be interested in a comedic sounding Australian judge's decision? Well, the ruling has been labelled “dystopian" and "distorting key concepts of sex and discrimination, while dodging Australia’s human rights obligations vis a vis women. If unchallenged this decision would set a dangerous precedent”. New Zealand is in danger of falling into the same human rights trap. The inc...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 25 min
“Without an anchor in biological reality, laws based on ’sex’ become meaningless and justice cannot be served.” So wrote evolutionary biologist Colin Wright. Jill Ovens, National Secretary and Co-Leader of the Women’s Rights Party, responds to the ruling of an Australian Judge that sex is changeable in a case involving ‘gender identity’. And common-sense rules mightily in her favour. Plus, exactly five years to the day after we interviewed Behnam Ben Taleblu on the Middle East, Iran in particula...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 44 min
Last Friday Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the new Chief of the Human Rights Commission. As always, there will be disagreement over the appointment. Dr Stephen Rainbow brings broad experience to the task before him. Controversy is no stranger. After an hour of discussion, you’ll have a good idea of Rainbow’s stance on some critical issues that, like it or not, influence the society in which we live. We make comment on corporate involvement in social activism; for example, "diversity, ...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 32 min
Robert MacCulloch has a resume to be envied. He began his tertiary education at the University of Auckland, continued it at London School of Economics and Princeton University, He was Director of the PhD Program at Imperial College London. He has been awarded numerous prizes along the way, and returned to NZ twelve years ago. He is Professor of Macroeconomics at Auckland University and publishes widely, including his own site, Down To Earth Kiwi. And in spite of his career success he appears mod...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Over the last few years, three men (two New Zealanders and a South African) have researched the “science” of global warming. They are not “climate scientists”, rather they are laymen. Unrestricted by career threats, they published “CLIMATE ACTUALLY, AND SOME TAKEAWAYS’. They are now about to release volume two. Further details are in the interview with retired geologist Andrew Hollis. Separately, we talk electricity supply, and the crisis we face with consulting engineer Bryan Leyland, who has e...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Patrick Basham returns to The Leighton Smith Podcast with the Democracy Institute’s polling for the 2024 Presidential election, in association with the Daily Express. Patrick has built a reputation with us as being arguably the most articulate researcher and commentator on electoral matters. He also answers the question as to whether “diversity, equity and inclusion” is advancing further on its progressive path. Or has the tide turned? And Ramesh Thakur in part two of our 80 minute interview. We...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 32 min
Ramesh Thakur is well known to this audience; he has appeared on the Leighton Smith Podcast more than once. There was much to catch up on. His views on the world and its various parts are substantiated by life experience. He taught at a number of universities including Otago and ANU Canberra and Rector at the U.N. University. He was also an assistant Sec-Gen of the U.N. As a result his commentary on world issues is superb. And finally, we delve into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comm...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Estonia is gifted with the world’s most efficient and balanced tax regime. Co-founder of the New Zealand Taxpayer’s Union, Jordan Williams suggests our Prime Minister should look seriously at that system for New Zealand. It’s easy to argue it is way better than what we have. We have a different perspective on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, from Geopolitical Future’s founder George Friedman. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@n...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 30 min
One of the best and most interesting interviews we’ve done. Tony O’Brien was born and raised in New Zealand. His life has followed a fascinating path, working in Australia, Britain, Canada, Hungary and beyond in a variety of capacities. In his work he "did not have a plan, just took advantage of opportunities as they presented." He is intelligent, articulate and successful but also modest. We discuss many different aspects of NZ’s current circumstances and issues, starting with education. You wi...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 17 min
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 Destruction of American Liberty’ We interviewed in April 2021 re Covid. Now thirty years after Lost Rights, comes ‘Last Rights; The Death of American Liberty”. We arranged the interview moments before the 1st Presidential Debate. Between the book and the political crisis in the U.S. there was never a dul...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Leighton is off this week, so we are highlighting one of his favourite guests from the 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 alarmists that the end of the world...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Sociologist Jodie Bruning has produced a paper, ‘Don’t Be Mislead - Judging the Risk From Central Bank Digital Currencies in Isolation is a Rookie Mistake’. That paper is associated with a much bigger, ninety page production, regarding democratic risks that arise when Digital ID’s are coupled with CBDC's. It’s an area where most of us are ill-informed, which if concerned about your personal sovereignty we should not be. This is an important issue for all of us. File your comments and complaints ...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 9 min
The New York Times, the UK Daily Telegraph and the British Medical Journal are just some (if not the most prominent) publications to adjust their thinking and publication regarding the effect of Covid vaccinations. Guy Hatchard of the Hatchard Report has been one step ahead. It’s a fascinating and informative interview, especially considering what is yet to come. We reference David Bell’s “Bird Flu, Fear, and Perverse Incentives”, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments a...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Oliver Hartwitch, from The New Zealand Initiative, discusses the 2024 Budget and why it might take fifteen years to get the New Zealand economy to where it should be. We look at what Switzerland could teach us, the future of the Tory Party in England, and the Reserve Bank. We make comment on Trump and “The Lost Generation” a 2009 article in which a psychologist predicted today’s issues. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Ha...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Manisha Grazula is not just a primary school principal and teacher. She is extraordinary in that role. The changes she has wrought in her school in Liverpool, Sydney make for an ideal model for almost any school in NZ. And the return of NZ author A.I.Fabler after the one hour twenty mark, with talk on his book “AGENDA 2060 Book Two, AI and the View from Outer Space”. This is the future as it happens, a world where Artificial Intelligence and space travel are about to change lives forever. We mak...
May 29, 2024•2 hr 4 min
