New Zealand and the Cook Islands agreements require regular consultation on defence and security issues.

But the Cooks have just signed a secret partnership with China, catching the NZ government unawares.

If that’s not bad enough, there is a second cause for major concern. It includes our Parliamentary Sovereignty, ownership of the entire NZ coastline and an activist Supreme Court indulging its collective ego.

Muriel Newman, an ex MP (nine years) and the founder of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research (NZCPR.com), discusses the threats and dangers to the Parliament’s position as the country's ultimate lawmaker.

And on the subject of courts, we catch up with Michael Connett, the lawyer who fought and won against the EPA (the Environment Protection Agency) over compulsory fluoridation.

Whatever your thoughts on the subject, it’s a David and Goliath tale.

And we visit 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

New Zealand and the Cook Islands agreements require regular consultation on defence and security issues.
But the Cooks have just signed a secret partnership with China, catching the NZ government unawares.
If that’s not bad enough, there is a second cause for major concern. It includes our Parliamentary Sovereignty, ownership of the entire NZ coastline and an activist Supreme Court indulging its collective ego.
Muriel Newman, an ex MP (nine years) and the founder of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research (<a style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/K_xmCmOxlRuZz0JEUOhJTRaC0O?domain=nzcpr.com" target="_blank" title="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/K_xmCmOxlRuZz0JEUOhJTRaC0O?domain=nzcpr.com" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">NZCPR.com</a>), discusses the threats and dangers to the Parliament’s position as the country's ultimate lawmaker.
And on the subject of courts, we catch up with Michael Connett, the lawyer who fought and won against the EPA (the Environment Protection Agency) over compulsory fluoridation.
Whatever your thoughts on the subject, it’s a David and Goliath tale.
And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.
File your comments and complaints at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz</a>
<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&amp;objectid=12148425" target="_blank">Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide.</a>
Listen here on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-leighton-smith-podcas-30246213/" target="_blank">iHeartRadio</a>
<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-leighton-smith-podcas-30246213/" target="_blank"></a>
Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes: To subscribe via iTunes click <a rel="noopener" href="https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-leighton-smith-podcast/id1445358795" target="_blank">here</a>
<a rel="noopener" href="https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-leighton-smith-podcast/id1445358795?mt=2" target="_blank"></a>

After 33 years behind the Newstalk ZB microphone, Leighton can’t give it up completely. There were so many requests to continue his opinionated commentary that the prospect of podcasting was born.

So, without restriction, Leighton continues to serve up on everything you want to hear about and some things you don’t. Stand by to be enlightened, educated and enraged!

After 33 years behind the Newstalk ZB microphone, Leighton can’t give it up completely. There were so many requests to continue his opinionated commentary that the prospect of podcasting was born. So, without restriction, Leighton continues to serve up on everything you want to hear about and some things you don’t. Stand by to be enlightened, educated and enraged!

After 33 years behind the Newstalk ZB microphone, Leighton can’t give it up completely. There were so many requests to continue his opinionated commentary that the prospect of podcasting was born.

The Leighton Smith Podcast

Leighton Smith Podcast #272 - February 19th 2025 - Muriel Newman and Michael Connett

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/25f918db-9631-4fcc-b532-b28801812931/transcript