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The Leighton Smith Podcast

Newstalk ZB
Covid-19
New Zealand
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Education
Public Health
Australia
Judicial Activism
Democracy
Artificial Intelligence
Israel
Iran
Immigration
World Health Organization
Education System
Free Speech
Ukraine
United Nations
Treaty Of Waitangi
Fluoride

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes385Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryPolitics

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Artwork for The Leighton Smith Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 Ministerial Scholarship to Asia... more

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 Zealand Repelled an Invasion... more

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 on a basis of ethics, evid... more

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 and knowledge, and isn’t afr... more

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Recent Guests

Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative
New Zealand Initiative
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #328 - May 13th 2026 - Oliver Hartwich
Rodney Hide
Former New Zealand politician, ACT New Zealand; former leader of ACT NZ
ACT New Zealand
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #326 - April 29th 2026 - Rodney Hide
Lars Schernikau
Energy economist, entrepreneur, commodity trader and author
Independent energy expert
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #324 - April 15th 2026 - Lars Schernikau
Robert MacCulloch
Professor, former employee of The Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (former); Professor (economics)
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #319 - March 11th 2026 - Robert MacCulloch
Jim Allan
Professor of Law at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #317 - February 25th 2026 - Jim Allan
Dr. Mike Schmidt
A highly qualified individual with extensive knowledge across various fields including science, business, and IT.
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #316 - February 18th 2026 - Dr Mike Schmidt
Shane Jones
Deputy Leader of New Zealand First and Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Energy
New Zealand First
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast #315 - February 11th 2026 - Shane Jones
Dr. Pierre Kory
Critical care physician and author of 'The War on Ivermectin'
FLCCC Alliance
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: Dr Pierre Kory - January 7th 2026
James Allan
Law professor at the University of Queensland specializing in lawfare
University of Queensland
Episode: Leighton Smith Podcast - Best Of: James Allan - December 17th 2025

Host

Leighton Smith
Host of critical discussions on legal, political, and societal issues, inviting diverse guests to enhance the discourse and engage listeners.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 673 ratings
  • Love this podcast

    Great podcast. Learn so much and Leighton has a great style when interviewing. He lets the guest speak without interrupting and covers a wide range of topics. Definitely worth listening to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fiwynne
    New Zealanda year ago
  • The battle for humanity continues

    As of 25/9 Leighton Smith brings excellent international & local speakers every week on his podcast from a broad range of disciplines. He brings the best out of his guests, raises provocative issues, is well researched & actually discusses subjects intelligently and I cannot thank him enough for all he does!

    Dr Marik from FLCCC today was particularly prescient visiting NZ with other eminent dissenting Drs like Angus Dalgliesh, lawyers & freedom oriented professionals for lectures in Christchurc... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marnotton
    Australia2 years ago
  • Vital information for all free thinking citizens!

    I look forward to this every week. I’ve learnt a great deal and found some essential websites and books to further my education. I am so happy to have discovered this podcast and regularly share episodes with friends. Spread the word!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lairennnnnnn
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Balanced viewpoint

    I have listened to Leighton for more than 20 years, of course this is because I am on the same side of his opinions. However what makes the show stand out for me, is the fact he does take on opposite views. And while it is on occasion an echo chamber, the fact Leighton will Liston to both sides of a story and sometimes come to a different conclusion, shows the balance of opinion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avoman157
    New Zealand3 years ago
  • Dull

    Very dull podcast by a jaded ex talkback hack. Don’t waste your time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gareth_Hodson
    New Zealand3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms include a perceived bias towards conservative viewpoints, with a few listeners expressing dissatisfaction with the content as overly focused on particular ideologies.
Listeners appreciate the informative and engaging style of presentation, with many noting the vast range of topics covered and the quality of guest experts.
There are mentions of the podcast providing a much-needed alternative viewpoint to mainstream media, often challenging conventional narratives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Leighton Smith Podcast #327 - May 6th 2026 - David Bell
Q: What is the biggest hurdle to achieving these reforms?
Money and vested interests are the primary obstacles, along with a workforce dependent on the current funding ecosystem, making it difficult to push for meaningful reform.
Leighton Smith Podcast #327 - May 6th 2026 - David Bell
Q: How do you rectify leadership at the WHO given concerns about governance and funding?
The discussion suggests decentralization, downsizing, avoiding tied funding, and potentially creating alternative regional health organizations to prevent dominance by a few funders, while stressing the need for accountability and evidence-based policy.
Leighton Smith Podcast #327 - May 6th 2026 - David Bell
Q: So, what is the opinion on how this should roll out in practice?
The guest argues for decentralized, sovereignty-respecting public health governance where states decide policies that best fit their populations, with reduced influence from private funders and a focus on fundamental public health measures rather than centralized, donor-driven agendas.
Leighton Smith Podcast #324 - April 15th 2026 - Lars Schernikau
Q: What is the core critique of current energy policy?
The core critique is that the energy transition heavily emphasizes wind and solar despite their low energy density, high system costs, and intermittency, leading to unreliable grids and higher total costs; a more balanced approach including coal, gas, and nuclear, along with system-level efficiency, is argued to be necessary.
Leighton Smith Podcast #322 - April 1st 2026 - Louise Clegg
Q: How do you view the role of experts in shaping policy and the potential for unintended consequences?
Experts often dream up policy with good intentions, but they can be out of touch with the coalface, leading to unintended consequences that politicians then struggle to manage. The conversation suggests that policy should be more grounded in practical realities and inclusive of diverse perspectives.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Leighton Smith Podcast

What is The Leighton Smith Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content primarily revolves around current events, society, and politics, often offering a critical perspective on various ideologies and government policies. The discussions frequently explore themes of judicial power, political challenges, economic issues, cultural values, and contentious scientific narratives, providing listeners with a quick dive into potentially polarizing subjects. Each episode typically features informed guests who bring expertise in law, politics, healthcare, and social issues. This approach not only enriches the conversation but also challenges mainstream narratives, making it a unique platform for listeners who appreciate alternative viewpoints and robust debate.

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How many listeners does The Leighton Smith Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Leighton Smith Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Leighton Smith Podcast:

1. The Mike Hosking Breakfast
2. Between Two Beers Podcast
3. Taxpayer Talk
4. Shared Lunch
5. The Dom Harvey Podcast

How many episodes of The Leighton Smith Podcast are there?

The Leighton Smith Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 385 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Leighton Smith Podcast?

Recent guests on The Leighton Smith Podcast include:

1. Oliver Hartwich
2. Rodney Hide
3. Lars Schernikau
4. Robert MacCulloch
5. Jim Allan
6. Dr. Mike Schmidt
7. Shane Jones
8. Dr. Pierre Kory

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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