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Hosted by Newstalk ZB · 🇺🇸 US · EN-NZ · 397 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
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!
Newstalk ZB hosts The Leighton Smith Podcast, a news show with 397 episodes published.
As Leighton is on a short break, for this week's episode we dig into the archives for a repeat of his interview with NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones from earlier in the year. Back next week with episode #342. Fi
With the celebration of 100 years of broadcasting from 1ZB, we have devoted Podcast 341 to three interviews with the station's past and present management: Bill Francis, Dallas Gurney & Jason Winstanley. Over the years t
Let’s be honest, there’s a lot going on in the world - so much so that it’s difficult to keep pace. Take America for example. A transformation is underway that has not yet been fully recognised for what it is or what it
Worries about the outcome emerge in almost every election. This 2026 election has much of the constituency concerned about a result that could lead to the end of the country as we know it. Don Brash, arguably the best Re
In our culture today there is a strange set of attitudes toward history. On one hand there’s a highly politicised approach to the past, in which people care passionately about history’s symbols and what they represent. A
JR Bruning analyses her article, “An Election Agreement that has locked in a Road User Charging Revolution” and asks why this was necessary in the first place. Crucially, how it will affect every one of us? Investigative
The New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR) was established twenty one years ago. Founded by Muriel Newman, the NZCPR is more important now than ever as an independent public policy think tank. In this election
Proven favourite Nick Cater turns up for the first time this year. Unsurprisingly, the Australian economy leads the discussion. We focus on the trio of hopeless politicians at the absolute peak of state power. Nick share
Depending on perspective, it’s not difficult to agree with George Friedman’s interpretations of “how the world turns”. I first met George in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1983 where he was a Professor at the United States
Dr Ramesh Thakur is well known on the Leighton Smith Podcast. He is an Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University. He is also a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, and a Seni
“Based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1980, Barry Soper has covered every New Zealand Prime Minister since, earning a reputation for his sharp questioning, wit, and deep institutional knowledge of Wellington po
"Socialism is based on bureaucratic planning. This means a restriction of personal freedom. The dream of equality, a goal even of democratically dressed up socialism, can only be achieved by coercion." Thorsten Polleit s
Leonard S. Hong arrived in New Zealand at the age of three. His story is one of choosing the right parents, hard work, and applied effort to succeed. At age 29 he has a Master of Science and has completed a Prime Ministe
An inventive way to encourage the understanding of the stupidity in New Zealand's governance... Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, has authored a novella, ‘The Martian Audit: Or, How New Z
The International Health Reform Project (IHRP) is aiming to restore a rational framework to the polarised debate surrounding the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their intent is to rebuild international health governance
I’ve known Rodney Hide for a long time; through his career in politics and beyond. I’ve seen changes in his life, both personal and professional. He is still making adjustments, because he’s a man who pursues philosophy
"The science behind the risk of myocarditis following mRNA vaccination’, "A wake up call - The adverse health effects of forever genetic compounds” and "Biotech cannot be allowed a right to secrecy”. These are all commen
It is no exaggeration to say that New Zealand has a major energy crisis. Energy policy is at the base of everything. Energy is only about 6% to 8% of GDP but without energy, there is no GDP. Energy is the economy and "if
George Friedman, from Geopolitical Futures guested on Podcast 318, five weeks ago. As the Iran war has developed into a longer and much more serious event, it was appropriate to muster his knowledge and expertise for an
“The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ rarely passes the lips of our most senior lawyers, judges, or academics. Like many in the professional classes, lawyers have become cheerleaders for most fashionable progressive caus
Barry Soper
Senior Political Correspondent at Newstalk ZB · Newstalk ZB
1 appearance on this show
Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director · New Zealand Initiative
2 appearances on this show
David Bell
former WHO physician, leader of REPPARE Project at University of Leeds · Idea Farm Ventures
1 appearance on this show
Mike Schmidt
Senior Product Management Lead at Shopify · Agency Coach
1 appearance on this show
Shane Jones
Associate Energy Minister · New Zealand First
1 appearance on this show
Pierre Kory
MD, MPA, pulmonary and critical care specialist
1 appearance on this show
James Allan
Senior Director · University of Queensland Law School
2 appearances on this show
Dr William Happer
physicist, former White House science advisor, co-founder of the CO₂ Coalition · Princeton University
1 appearance on this show
Alan Roth
operating partner of The Restaurant People
1 appearance on this show
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City · New York City mayoral campaign
1 appearance on this show
National Party MP
National Party
1 appearance on this show
George Friedman
Geopolitical Futures
3 appearances on this show
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The Leighton Smith Podcast is hosted by Newstalk ZB. The show is categorised under news and has published 397 episodes.
The Leighton Smith Podcast has published 397 episodes.
The Leighton Smith Podcast regularly covers news. It sits in the news category.
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