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 were on a fool’s errand; that the standards they set were financially suicidal.

They did it anyway. They planted a vineyard that has beaten the top French wines at their own game.

The story has this week been published, written by the owner himself. “Forged In Fire” catalogues a journey, a discovery, and the pursuit of perfection. It’s a story of ultimate achievement in New Zealand

Michael F Spratt guests on Podcast 343.

P.S. you don’t have to be a wine drinker to appreciate their success. But you may be tempted…

And we visit the Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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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 our lives.

Steeped in a background of politics, economics, business and real estate, he is a talking encyclopaedia.

We had an interesting discussion on Net Zero, politics, (particularly TOPs appearance,) journalism, and the coming election.

And we visit the Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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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 complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz

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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 many moments of drama, humour… and sometimes chaos.

Find out how a successful radio station ticks behind the scenes.

There’s input into today’s political drama from our once National Party MP.

As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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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 same may be said of Australia, England, much of Europe and beyond.

If that sounds exaggerated, then this week's discussion with Patrick Basham will be of interest.

The days of “that will never happen here”, wherever ‘here’ may be - are drawing to a close.

As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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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 we’ve known, voices his thoughts on the matters he believes are most important.

He talks about our appallingly slow productivity growth - and on the country’s GDP per capita.

He also reflects on house prices, the long term outlook for government debt, and foreign policy .

And he rates the present government on its effectiveness.

As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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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 hand, we know less than ever about history.

We have largely ceased to think of ourselves as historical beings; "the past has nothing to teach us”.

Associate Professor of History, Sarah Irving-Stonebraker rationalises the value of history and how it can improve our approach to life.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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Salvatore Babones is a quantitative comparative sociologist (explained in the interview), at the University of Sydney.

He is an American living in Australia, and in his most recent book displays his knowledge of India.

The book is "Dharma Democracy; How India Built the Third World’s First Democracy”

He has visited India a number of times and established a relationship with Prime Minister Modi .

We discuss the Free Trade Agreements with both Australia and New Zealand, and present some alternative views on them.

We also expand the conversation to cover a number of other international issues.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.