Daniel Hannan sat as a Conservative MEP for 21 years. During that period he made countless speeches, usually berating the European Parliament itself. He was arguably one of the best members of the European Parliament. Daniel was keen to discuss matters Covid, the new government in NZ, and the Israeli crisis. And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to...

'The Treason of the Experts’, by Thomas Harrington, underscores the need to apply intellectual discernment on all pressing questions in a case-by-case manner. Tom suggests that having more educational credentials is no guarantee against the danger of believing in stories that seriously distort our understanding of empirical facts. We visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer, and we conclude with post-election commentary from “a former National MP" File your comments and complaints at...

The Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) is the brainchild of Dr Jordan Peterson. It had its inaugural conference in London at the end of October. There were 1500 attendees from over 100 countries; including the author of “Unsettled”, Professor Steve Kooning, Viveck Ramaswamy, Michael Shellenberger, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and so many more. Nick Cater was also there, and explains the purpose and ambition of the ARC. We comment on what appears to be the rapid advance of Central Banks Digital...

It’s not just national government that should concern us. Local government should concern us too. Auckland has spent an inordinate amount of time and money trying to become a world class city. But still, Auckland's problems seem to grow. From a growing debt issue to expanding bureaucracy and rebellious councillors. Who’s in charge? Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown opens up on Podcast 220. We reference a new NZ authored book on Climate, and we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your...

Three weeks post election, and we are still no nearer to knowing what the final make up of the government will be. We speak with Steven Joyce, in what we thought might be a half hour chat. But even after his barking dog was edited from the interview, we still had fifty minutes of discussion on the incompetence that saw Labour outed, and the rectification that is now sorely needed. We tackle the second segment of Lord Jonathan Sumption; in actual fact, the part that we find the most...

In July this year we spoke with Jonathan Sumption, and we catch up with him again during his trip to New Zealand. In the interim there has been a lot of change that is worthy of his opinion - the Hamas attack, Israel’s response, and the associated reactions provide a hornet’s nest of issues. We communicate with Patrick Basham in Riyadh, attending the Future Investment Initiative, also known as “Davos of the Desert”. The consensus of the 6000 attendees is that the FII serves the planet far...

Three NZ academics have recently written that NZ’s Tertiary Education Sector is in deep financial crisis, and that our universities are losing their best people. At the same time a new private institution, the University of Austin, Texas, is prepping for its opening. We speak with Jacob Howland, Director of the Intellectual Foundation Program from the university, on how ideology has poisoned the West. And we make a visit to The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints...

With the election over (apart from half a million votes still to be counted), we look at how the country can encourage a more positive approach to economic recovery. “Commerce beats politics, every time.” This quote comes from our guest, Earl Rattray, prominent businessman and lifetime participant in the dairy industry. We look at a different perspective on the Middle East, from Barry Brownstein “Why Civilisation is at Stake”. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your...

Is Democracy a failed idea? How badly has Ardernism damaged the country? We also discuss the failure of the judicial system with retired judge Anthony Willy, on the eve of the most important election of our lifetime. Words of warning from Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Israel and beyond, and The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton...

During September, London cardiologist Aseem Malhotra toured New Zealand giving talks on matters covid. Overseas, he has been tagged controversial (controversy has a place in science). We interviewed Malhotra, so you could have access to his opinions and decide for yourself. We share another submission from the former National Party MP and we make further comment on the upcoming election. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at...

John Banks spent 21 years in Parliament. For many of those years, he held high profile ministerial portfolios. He was also a two term Mayor of Auckland. This week, he gives us his stark and honest account of NZ’s current position. He concludes that the election must provide “the change of direction the country so desperately needs”. If you agree you’ll enjoy the discussion. If you’re happy with the status quo, you’ll find out why you’ll change your mind. We comment on Jacinda Ardern and...

I first met George Friedman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1986. George was then a Professor at the War College. A few years later he established Stratfor.com and then in 2015, GeopoliticalFutures.com. He has authored a number of books and is now writing on the future of war in space. In this podcast, we delve into a plethora of geopolitical issues and crises, including Russia, China, the U.S. and Ukraine. We look at what might be gained or lost through this country’s declining armed...

On this week's podcast: Trust has declined at all levels at an increasing rate. Without trust we cannot operate at a successful level. With the election almost upon us, deciding who we can trust is a challenge for many. Oxford Associate Professor Thomas W. Simpson works on trust and issues at the intersection of technology and security. He is in NZ to give the 2023 Sir John Graham Lecture for the Maxim Institute, and we interviewed him a few hours after his arrival on Monday. We share an...

On this week's podcast: In what many think is the most important election we’ve ever had, there are many issues to consider. Arguably, freedom is the most important. Without liberty, we are not the masters of our own lives. New Zealanders have experienced this over the last few years. Therefore party policies that could affect our free choice need thorough examination. We talk about what is at stake with Guy Hatchard. We have a few thoughts on Hipkins and co-governance, and some...

On this week's podcast: Professor James Allan last guested in podcast 160. The subject was He Puapua. He returns to discuss our election, Jordan Peterson, The Voice, and Trumps legal challenges. Jim encourages any so-called conservative parties to “fight the culture wars”. Has any party in New Zealand got the required courage? Is there “weaponised collusion” between The White House and the DOJ? And what are the top universities and law schools teaching? It’s a broad and energetic...

On this week's podcast: Stephen Jennings is a Kiwi expat. His first job after university was with Treasury in 1984, a noted time of economic and political change. Jennings life has centred around change ever since. Working in Australia and NZ, followed by London and in 1992, Moscow until 2013. Now he’s building cities in Africa. His critique of New Zealand’s ongoing malaise needs to be heard before the election. We make comment on Wokeinsm, and the meeting of the BRICS countries this...

On this week's podcast: Turbo-charged by Covid-19 and a poverty of basic intelligence, common sense and irreparably bad ideas, the New Zealand health care system is in dire straights. We are in crisis, and, as a result, it is at the forefront of election issues. Emeritus Professor Des Gorman levels his sights on the issues and how to resolve them; especially the increasing shortage of GP’s. We pay tribute to a great man Merrill Fernando. The mailroom delivers a great collection of...

On this week's podcast: Sir Ian Taylor is having an interesting life. Born in Northland, raised in what today would be considered poverty, he graduated in law, became a television performer and a singer in a band; today he is a massively successful businessman. A Labour supporter over 50 years of voting, he is now less than impressed. And like many countrymen he doesn’t know how he’s going to vote come October 14. We had a vibrant discussion, even if you might not agree with him. We...

On this week's podcast: London, is it still the Holy Grail for NZ expats? After 5 years in the “mother city” Christian Smith shares his thoughts and experiences with Leighton (yes, they are closely related). The cost of living, work, play, travel, advantages and otherwise, post covid and Brexit. A great discussion. Normal transmission resumes next week when Leighton and Mrs Producer return. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] Haven't listened to a podcast...

On this week's podcast: When we interviewed Stephen Soukup in podcast 179, Jacinda Ardern still “had gas in the tank”, and Labour still had high hopes for this years election. Soukup's book “The Dictatorship of Woke Capital; How Political Correctness Captured Big Business” exposed the absurdities adopted by many international and local companies to the detriment of investors and customers alike. Soukup's revelations could well benefit this years election. File your comments and complaints...

On this week's podcast: On October 5, 2022, in Podcast 175, we spoke with two insightful guests. Both were then and are now relevant to the state of the local economy and international balance of power. Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the NZ Institute spoke on productivity in the economy. Professor Salvatore Babones addressed “Putins Brain” as Russian Intellectual Alexander Dugan has been described. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] Haven't listened to a...

On October 5, 2022, in podcast 175 we spoke with two insightful guests. Both were then and are now relevant to the state of play locally and internationally. Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative addressed the paucity of productivity in NZ. Associate Professor Salvatore Babones from the University of Sydney resonates on Alexander Dugan, otherwise nominated as Putin’s Brain. Thought provoking and stimulating conversation in the best of Leighton Smith. File your...

On this week's podcast: Lord Jonathan Sumption was appointed to the Supreme Court of the U.K. in 2012, following a career as a respected and highly regarded Q.C. and historian. In high demand as a Lecturer he has travelled the world enlightening audiences on various matters, ie; the law, constitutions, history and social matters. Described as “the Brain of Britain” this discussion displays Sumptions ability whether you agree or otherwise. And because Leighton and Mrs Producer have escaped...

On this week's podcast: Is the Indigenous Voice Australia's Treaty of Waitangi moment? There are differences. If the forthcoming referendum is successful, how will it affect government and life in Australia? The debate is splitting the country. If passed, the Voice will likely lead to separatism and bitterness, not reconciliation. From the Menzies Research Centre and The Australian, Nick Cater analyses the threats and any benefits there may be. Also, the Australian Communications and...

On this week's podcast: Every election in the last two or three decades has been "the most important ever.” I believe 2023 most certainly is. Democracy is under grave threat. Many talk of this being the last chance of redemption. Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper guests, and shares some brutal but honest truths. We also comment on New Zealand’s woke Health system and why American Doctors are rejecting it. Is Australia surrendering freedom of speech? And we visit...