Patrick Basham, founder of Democracy Institute in Washington DC, returns in Podcast 305 to analyse the New York mayoralty election.

How could the biggest city in a country founded on freedom, be on the verge of electing a marxist muslim as its Mayor?

This is a position that is claimed by some to rank second only to the Presidency.

Zohran Mamdani looks set to take the mayoralty in the November 4 election.

Patrick also discusses other idiocies (of which there are many), in a most enjoyable interview.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

“With the advent of postmodernism, the literal definition of truth itself has changed.

THE truth has been replaced by MY truth and YOUR truth. Truth has become an opinion, no more important than how you like your steak cooked.

In the past, we relied on ethical medical science to lead the way to find THE truth, but is that even possible now?"

With the ‘Gene Technology Bill’ still in the hearing stage, Guy Hatchard provides some direction for the undecided.

And following the Mailroom with Mrs Producer communication that deserves its own segment.

A very good letter from KC Gary Judd in response to our interview with retired barrister Louise Clegg.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

There’s a difference between criticising politicians just because you don’t like them, and drawing attention to a politician’s inadequacies when they are failing to deliver.

The same applies to a political party.

Then there’s the objection to being too negative, and effectively helping the other team win. The team that you disapprove of even more.

The problem is, if you don’t express dissatisfaction you encourage mediocrity.

From the New Zealand Centre for Political Research Dr Muriel Newman pulls no punches in Podcast 303

And, as always, we appreciate your contribution in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

To suggest that there is considerable turmoil across the globe is an understatement.

“Nature abhors a vacuum” is constantly given new reign.

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1989, political scientist Francis Fukuyama announced history was dead.

His best selling “The End of History and the Last Man” is updated, still in print and nowhere near death.

Then in 2018 Fukuyama’s book “Identity” announces that “fragmentation based on alignment of interest into identity groups, has emerged as a new threat to democracy”.

On September 3, 2025 retired barrister Louise Clegg wrote an opinion article drawing on all the above, called “Sliding into technocracy”.

After thirty years in the legal profession, she guests in Podcast 302.

From Nietzsche to Charlie Kirk, it is a worthy discussion.

There’s more on the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

Canadian born Law Professor James Allan holds a New Zealand passport and taught at University of Otago for eleven years.

He is also an Australian passport holder and professor at the University of Queensland.

In this discussion we start with which Anglo based country is doing best in a difficult global climate.

We discuss the legacy media (and whether it is broken), judicial activism, the threat of immigration, politicisation of police, and we finish on his views on Israel and Gaza.

We visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer, and comment finally on the ugliest crime in America not to get national coverage.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

After six weeks north of the Equator, it’s good to be back.

"Two years ago, New Zealanders voted for change. Not just a change of government but a change of direction. They were promised fiscal discipline, economic renewal and a productive economy.

The New Zealand government has shown it can reform when it wants to. Now it must also reform what matters most: the unsustainable growth in public spending.”

This quote came from The Australian (August 28), and it was written by Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the NZ Initiative.

In Podcast 300, he provides us with a very good analysis of the challenge facing the NZ economy.

We spend the second half of this interview discussing one of the most extraordinary human beings of all time, Leonardo Da Vinci.

The reason is explained fulsomely and you’ll understand my enthusiasm as it unfolds.

I can only suggest that what you’ll hear provides a greater perspective of the present.

And finally, we are back with Mrs Producer and The Mailroom.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.

Two years ago my son Christian and I recorded an interview in London.

Many people commented on it, and many messages requested a repeat. So, under some difficult circumstances we managed it.

We have another discussion on whether London is a better place to live…. or otherwise.

Next week Mrs Producer returns, along with The Mailroom and reports on our sojourn.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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’s Big Climate Mistake. This interview with Prof Michael Kelly is full of logic and rationale.

A kiwi, Kelly is Professor Emeritus at Cambridge University (coincidentally a place we visited a couple of weeks ago).

The interview with Kelly was 200 or so podcasts ago, in number 93. The information he imparts is as relevant now as then.

We thought at the time it was a stunning listen; if you haven’t heard it, there is much to learn.

Your feedback will be welcomed.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz

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.