Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025.

James Bovard is a Libertarian Journalist and Author. Thirteen books published. In his first ’The Farm Fiasco’ (1989) he referenced NZ as a world leader in farming.

In 1994 came ‘Lost Rights; The Destruction of American Liberty’ We interviewed in April 2021 re Covid.

Now thirty years after Lost Rights, comes ‘Last Rights; The Death of American Liberty”.

We arranged the interview moments before the 1st Presidential Debate.

Between the book and the political crisis in the U.S. there was never a dull moment.

And he’s quite amusing. Bovard is a “character”!

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

Leighton is on summer break, so we are highlighting some of his favourite guests from 2025.
James Bovard is a Libertarian Journalist and Author. Thirteen books published. In his first ’The Farm Fiasco’ (1989) he referenced NZ as a world leader in farming.
In 1994 came ‘Lost Rights; The Destruction of American Liberty’ We interviewed in April 2021 re Covid.
Now thirty years after Lost Rights, comes ‘Last Rights; The Death of American Liberty”.
We arranged the interview moments before the 1st Presidential Debate.
Between the book and the political crisis in the U.S. there was never a dull moment.
And he’s quite amusing. Bovard is a “character”!
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 - Best Of: James Bovard - February 4th 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8892e080-86c2-4adb-aead-b3e6015a5edb/transcript