https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/rss NZME Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:54:00 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-climate-change-alarmists-push-their-barrow-over-fires/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-climate-change-alarmists-push-their-barrow-over-fires/ When I was a boy, the family bought a newly developed section in the middle of the bush on Sydney's upper north shore. Sat, 16 Feb 2019 20:20:54 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-personal-responsibility-would-fix-obesity-crisis/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-personal-responsibility-would-fix-obesity-crisis/ Does advertising contribute to obesity with kids? Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:21:54 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-cycleways-a-disgrace-and-waste-of-time/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-cycleways-a-disgrace-and-waste-of-time/ On the cycle lanes, I saw an e-scooter. There was one of the new e-scooters on the cycle lanes. Tue, 13 Nov 2018 02:03:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-nz-hospitals-in-dire-need-of-change/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-nz-hospitals-in-dire-need-of-change/ It comes as something of a surprise to hear that Starship Children's Hospital is included in the report of hospitals which are beyond their life expectancy and 'not fit for purpose' which includes Auckland Hospital. Mon, 22 Oct 2018 22:55:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-govt-fuel-tax-an-obscenity-beyond-description/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-govt-fuel-tax-an-obscenity-beyond-description/ I wish I had a list of every time a politician blamed the fuel companies, all the while wacking on more taxes and GST. Tue, 09 Oct 2018 01:47:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-the-pms-extra-costs-are-adding-up/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-the-pms-extra-costs-are-adding-up/ The Prime Minister's comments with regards to the PR exercise in New York, she had no idea how much it cost. Wed, 03 Oct 2018 01:52:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-complaining-ceos-are-pathetic/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-complaining-ceos-are-pathetic/ Now, for those who took part in the NZ Herald's Mood of the Boardroom, I have only got one thing to say to you, did you ask for it?  Tue, 02 Oct 2018 22:53:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-auckland-transport-forcing-us-out-of-our-cars/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-auckland-transport-forcing-us-out-of-our-cars/ Let's talk about the people involved with transport in Auckland. Tue, 25 Sept 2018 23:37:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-merv-smith-was-a-superstar-before-radio-had-any/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-merv-smith-was-a-superstar-before-radio-had-any/ Yesterday evening, we were at home and the phone rang and it was the station. The news was that Merv Smith had died. Tue, 25 Sept 2018 03:22:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-if-you-want-a-robust-government-then-the-hits-will-never-stop/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-if-you-want-a-robust-government-then-the-hits-will-never-stop/ So the Prime Minister wants to develop a compassionate government. Mon, 24 Sept 2018 22:41:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-kids-do-not-belong-in-the-workplace/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-kids-do-not-belong-in-the-workplace/ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the annual speaker at the keynote summit recently. What on earth even is that? Sun, 23 Sept 2018 22:36:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-men-also-had-to-struggle-for-voting-rights/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-men-also-had-to-struggle-for-voting-rights/ You have heard lots of things about women going places. Wed, 19 Sept 2018 02:49:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-wrong-type-of-people-coming-to-nz/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-wrong-type-of-people-coming-to-nz/ Now to those of you who have berated me over the government policy allowing more people into the country. Mon, 17 Sept 2018 22:26:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-homeless-count-is-an-exercise-in-exhibitionism/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-homeless-count-is-an-exercise-in-exhibitionism/ The Mayor of Auckland is trying to show how compassionate he is. He is going out tonight with a bunch of others, up to 1000 people or so, and they're going to go out and count the homeless, those sleeping in the streets. Sun, 16 Sept 2018 23:44:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-the-media-has-overblown-hurricane-florence/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-the-media-has-overblown-hurricane-florence/ Hurricane Florence is, of course, getting all of the world news coverage. Fri, 14 Sept 2018 00:16:26 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-payout-to-murderer-shows-liberalism-is-a-mental-disorder/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-payout-to-murderer-shows-liberalism-is-a-mental-disorder/ A convicted murderer has received a government payout after he was held too long in solitary confinement at an Auckland prison. Tue, 11 Sept 2018 23:48:45 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-councils-should-forget-cycle-lanes-get-back-to-basics/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-councils-should-forget-cycle-lanes-get-back-to-basics/ This morning we found out, thanks to the taxpayers union, that there are almost 5000 people in this country working for councils and earning more than $100,000 a year. Sun, 09 Sept 2018 22:33:56 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-we-need-to-push-back-on-climate-change-hoax/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-we-need-to-push-back-on-climate-change-hoax/ The story in the news today about Wellington council discussing climate change. Thu, 06 Sept 2018 22:37:03 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-green-party-mp-is-a-waste-of-space/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-green-party-mp-is-a-waste-of-space/ As for the Nigel Farage protest last night, I have some correspondence on it. Tue, 04 Sept 2018 23:20:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-pms-baby-is-interfering-with-her-job/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-pms-baby-is-interfering-with-her-job/ The PM is going to cost us money, is that a big deal? In the greater scheme of things, No. Mon, 03 Sept 2018 22:38:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-us-abortion-bill-shows-self-discipline-is-irrelevant-to-liberals/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-us-abortion-bill-shows-self-discipline-is-irrelevant-to-liberals/ The California abortion pill story you may be aware of this morning. Sun, 02 Sept 2018 22:12:58 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-women-with-power-dont-run-the-world-better/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-women-with-power-dont-run-the-world-better/ Anyone who thinks the world would be run any better, or anything would be run any better if it was all governed by women is loose between the ears. Thu, 30 Aug 2018 22:17:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-nz-deprived-of-balanced-reporting-on-american-politics/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-nz-deprived-of-balanced-reporting-on-american-politics/ The population of New Zealand continues to be deprived of any sort of balance with regard to American politics and Trump. Wed, 29 Aug 2018 23:34:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-pc-bs-the-real-problem-for-our-police-force/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-pc-bs-the-real-problem-for-our-police-force/ We’re told that we’re going to have 1800 new cops. All districts across the country will be getting substantial numbers of increase. Mon, 20 Aug 2018 22:01:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-plastic-bag-bans-taking-away-our-freedom/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-plastic-bag-bans-taking-away-our-freedom/ The reason I am talking about plastic bags, again this morning, is because it is a very important matter and to me, it keeps growing in importance. Wed, 15 Aug 2018 21:57:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-ben-stokes-case-a-lesson-in-pre-judging-people/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-ben-stokes-case-a-lesson-in-pre-judging-people/ The Ben Stokes story is an interesting one to me for a particular reason, and nothing to do with cricket. Everything to do with crime, being charged, going to court, and people’s reactions, especially the latter. Tue, 14 Aug 2018 21:29:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-if-kids-can-be-graded-so-can-teachers/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-if-kids-can-be-graded-so-can-teachers/ Teachers come in various shapes and sizes. Mon, 13 Aug 2018 21:54:48 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-why-is-don-brashs-speech-considered-hate-speech-but-david-seymours-bill-isnt/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-why-is-don-brashs-speech-considered-hate-speech-but-david-seymours-bill-isnt/ Last week, the Vice-Chancellor of Massey University was talking about Don Brash. Sun, 12 Aug 2018 21:44:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-climate-change-has-nothing-to-do-with-california-fires/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-climate-change-has-nothing-to-do-with-california-fires/ Let me turn your attention to what is happening in California, where daily and nightly we are being regaled with stories and videos from the massive fires. Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:08:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-marama-davidsons-call-to-reclaim-most-offensive-word-ridiculous/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/leighton-smith-show/opinion/leighton-smith-marama-davidsons-call-to-reclaim-most-offensive-word-ridiculous/ There was a story on TV last night about the most objectionable word on the broadcasting control list. Tue, 07 Aug 2018 21:15:48 Z