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Podcast

The Leighton Smith Podcast

by Newstalk ZB

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Latest episodes

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #348 - October 7th 2026 - Rodney Hide (Part 2)

    October 6, 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

    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…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #347 - September 30th 2026 - Rodney Hide (Part 1)

    September 29, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

    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…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #346 - September 23rd 2026 - Jim Allan

    September 22, 2026 · 1 hr 36 min

    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…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #345 - September 16th 2026 - Alwyn Poole

    September 16, 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

    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…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #344 - September 9th 2026 - David Schnauer

    September 9, 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

    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…

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  • Leighton Smith Podcast #343 - September 2nd 2026 - Michael F. Spratt

    September 1, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

    After a casual visit to New Zealand, this small American family couldn’t forget it. Mike and his wife went home, sold up everything and moved here. It’s a journey of discovery, heartbreak, redemption and triumph. They were told they…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #342 - August 26th 2026 - Ashley Church

    August 26, 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

    In these times it’s difficult to stay updated with the “good, the bad and the ugly.” In this environment it’s easy to be ill-informed. Independent commentator Ashley Church has been analysing virtually every issue that affects society and…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast - August 19th 2026 - Shane Jones

    August 18, 2026 · 44 min

    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. File your comments and…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #341 - August 12th 2026 - 100 Years of ZB

    August 12, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min

    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 there have been…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #340 - August 5th 2026 - Patrick Basham

    August 4, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min

    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 could become. The…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #339 - July 29th 2026 - Don Brash

    July 29, 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

    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 Reserve Bank Governor…

  • Leighton Smith Podcast #338 - July 22nd 2026 - Sarah Irving-Stonebraker

    July 22, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

    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. And on the other…

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About the show

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!