The Leighton Smith Podcast

We knew the November 7 election was going to be interesting when John Banks joined us on Podcast 349. But none of us could have predicted quite how eventful — or how fraught — things would become.  The election delivered twists, controversy and political drama well beyond what we had anticipated. And with almost 400,000 ballots still to count, the final result throws up a number of possible outcomes. We look beyond the headlines to examine the election, the players and the wider scenarios shaping the political landscape. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs ProducerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Almost all the political parties competing for our vote in November have put up a united front pretending that the health crisis is solely due to mismanagement and lack of resources. This shows a complete misunderstanding of the depth of the crisis and its timing, which coincided with the vaccine rollout”. Guy Hatchard is an international advocate of food safety and natural medicine. He was formerly a senior manager at Genetic ID, a global food safety testing and certification laboratory. We spent an hour discussing four of his latest commentaries:  The Pretence of Certainty, The Enemy Within, Prominent mRNA Advocate and Scientist Changes his Mind, and lastly Forewarned is Forearmed. A report just published by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is headed  "New Zealand State of Emergency 2026”. And finally, we look into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

In Podcast 351, just in time for the election, Ramesh Thakur covers (almost) the world at the highest level.  France, England, Australia, New Zealand, climate change, socialism, trust, ethics - and how the west is infected and misled by politicians, and others. And, of course, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

In Podcast 350,  the NZ First Deputy Leader presents the case for both himself and the party. Even Mr Jones confesses the he can be a little aggressive at times. Or as he puts it,  “brutal at times”. However, honest communication is always welcome and constructive. His manner of delivery always conveys a genuine eloquence, but policy is the important factor. “We have to ensure that the birthstone of democracy is citizenship”, and “we are going through a period of democratic engineering”. These quotes offer a glimpse of the thought provoking nature of our discussion. And, of course, we delve into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

In podcast 349 we continue our series featuring long-serving politicians who know the game inside out, and have a real contribution to make. This week we chat with political veteran John Banks on politics and principles for living. He has dedicated most of his life to politics, devoting a lengthy term to Parliament in Wellington and to the Mayoralty of Auckland. His contribution this week includes some of his personal political adventures — offering some much needed reality checks to the uninitiated. And, of course, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

When we arranged the interview with ex politician Rodney Hide, we didn’t preplan a list of issues. That could have led to an early conclusion. Instead we breezed through two hours with ease. That evolved into two separate podcasts, including analysis of the election and its major implications for New Zealand. Also, there is separate commentary on the U.S. Supreme Court and climate change, with billions at stake. While Europe seems intent on self-destruction, the European progressives look to New York's mayor for strategies for institutional survival . And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

Rodney Hide entered Parliament as a list member of the ACT Party in 1996. He became ACT Leader in 2004, and following the 2008 election he was appointed Minister for three portfolios; Local Government, Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Commerce. His degrees in science and economics lent credibility to his commentary in other fields like climate change. It has been interesting following his philosophical journey since leaving parliament in 2011. And ...for the first time we talked for two full hours. As a result we have split the wide ranging discussion into two podcasts… part two next week. And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

Prof. James Allan is a highly respected thinker, speaker, debater and a man of intelligence and knowledge. He is also an accomplished author and columnist. Canadian born and educated, he taught law at Otago University for eleven years, moved to ANU Canberra and then to a prestigious position at the University of Queensland, where he remains today. In this podcast, we explore a wide range of issues, both local and international. Our conversation tackles everything from judicial activism to the self destruction of the Church of England, the Middle east and Imran Khan. And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

Alwyn Poole; Education & More. “The first point on how to improve all things education in NZ is that, so long as any government thinks that they are the podium of truth in this area, they will fail and all improvements will be marginal (at best)”. This was written by educational consultant Alwyn Poole. While improvements in education are promising, there is significant room for growth. Alwyn Poole is critical where necessary, but gives praise where warranted.  We reveal  interesting details regarding a new school, a Covid story you won’t have heard before, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.

New Zealand once ranked among the world’s most prosperous nations. Not any longer. Armed with experience in both Law and Economics, retired lawyer David Schnauer spent a year writing “UNCOMFORTABLE ECONOMICS”. His purpose; to show that New Zealand’s underperformance is fixable. He challenges both politicians and citizens to lift their sights and demand more from our economy. In Podcast 344, David Schnauer is explicit in his assertions but expands on his ambitions for New Zealands future. And, as usual, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] 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.