The New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR) was established twenty one years ago.

Founded by Muriel Newman, the NZCPR is more important now than ever as an independent public policy think tank.

In this election year, New Zealand is arguably facing its biggest challenge to date.

Certainly the biggest for a long time.

Nine years as a politician (and a former Chamber of Commerce President) provides Muriel with political insider knowledge.

And in Podcast 335 she displays it with full force.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Proven favourite Nick Cater turns up for the first time this year.

Unsurprisingly, the Australian economy leads the discussion.

We focus on the trio of hopeless politicians at the absolute peak of state power.

Nick shares his reaction to Pauline Hanson, and Angus Taylor, the new leader of the Liberal Party.

We touch on housing, jobs, tax, cost of living and mass immigration.

We discuss AI and the difference it will make to the political landscape.

And finally he addresses a most important question; is Australia still the place for Kiwis when they leave New Zealand.

His response might surprise you.

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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Depending on perspective, it’s not difficult to agree with George Friedman’s interpretations of “how the world turns”.

I first met George in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1983 where he was a Professor at the United States War College.

It was instantly obvious that the professors knowledge in his field was second to none.

George’s most recent book “The Storm Before the Calm” (2020) set the stage for the era we are now navigating.

This interview with Dr Friedman on the current Middle East crisis is one of our best discussions of how, when, where and why such events happen and how they play out.

Whether or not you agree, the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures is at his best.

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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Dr Ramesh Thakur is well known on the Leighton Smith Podcast.

He is an Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University.

He is also a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, and a Senior Scholar at the Brownstone Institute.

Since the birth of Covid-19 he has been tenacious in investigating the truth… and, in our opinion, very successfully.

As a contributor to “Canary in a Climate World: Climate Realism vs the Net Zero Myth,” volume three, his chapter exceeds over 6000 words and exposes eleven shared agendas of Climate Change and Covid.

He is at his very best.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.

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

“Based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1980, Barry Soper has covered every New Zealand Prime Minister since, earning a reputation for his sharp questioning, wit, and deep institutional knowledge of Wellington politics.”

Barry’s contribution to New Zealand journalism saw him recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, where he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

He’s had a long and fascinating career and continues it still as Newstalk ZB’s senior political correspondent.

His book, ‘One Last Question, Prime Minister’, now in its fourth print, was our excuse to have a most enjoyable conversation in episode #331.

And as always, we finish in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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"Socialism is based on bureaucratic planning. This means a restriction of personal freedom. The dream of equality, a goal even of democratically dressed up socialism, can only be achieved by coercion."

Thorsten Polleit shows ways in which democratic socialism moves toward a globally planned state.

His book ‘The Global Currency Plot’ looks at the way money is used as a political tool, unpacking the agendas of those who wield political power.

Polleit guests on this episode of the podcast to unpack his stance, and of course, 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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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. He’s worked in Perth and Singapore, and speaks both English and Korean fluently.

He is a valuable citizen.

But why are he and so many of his friends angry and leaving NZ?

Leonard S. Hong in conversation, discusses New Zealand’s economic malaise, the brain drain to Australia, Singapore’s development model, meritocracy, and the future facing young New Zealanders.

And as always, we checked the Mailroom with Mrs Producer, and concluded with climate matters.

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

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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 Through Procedural Complexity’.

It’s a satirical work in which Martian invaders are held off and eventually sent packing by the country’s planning system, consultation requirements, and public service culture.

The novella is meant to entertain but reeks of reality – especially for those who have been challenged by the system.

We also bring to your attention the latest, very significant, information about climate change.

And we end in the mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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