It is no exaggeration to say that New Zealand has a major energy crisis.

Energy policy is at the base of everything. Energy is only about 6% to 8% of GDP but without energy, there is no GDP.

Energy is the economy and "if you don’t have everything right we are running into big trouble in every single area.”

If you think coal is bad and the Greens should be running the country, you need to be dispelled of that thought with Energy Economist Dr Lars Schernikau in this weeks interview.

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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George Friedman, from Geopolitical Futures guested on Podcast 318, five weeks ago.

As the Iran war has developed into a longer and much more serious event, it was appropriate to muster his knowledge and expertise for an update.

Knowing that there were threats for ever greater expansion of the conflict, we endeavoured to cover different results for each possibility.

We take a look at energy shortage and policy failure, and critique AI.

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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“The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ rarely passes the lips of our most senior lawyers, judges, or academics.

Like many in the professional classes, lawyers have become cheerleaders for most fashionable progressive causes, abandoning the caution and prudence that once defined the discipline.

Worse, they have become enforcers - shutting down dissenting voices inside and outside the profession”.

Damning words from retired barrister Louise Clegg.

We cover a multitude of issues in a revealing interview; one of which may surprise you.

We take a look at other matters, including climate change. No, the science is not settled.

And we check into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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"The Right to Health Sovereignty concludes that the restoration of trust in international health governance depends on
rediscovering the moral foundations of medicine and public health, and the sovereign responsibility of the nation state.

An International Health Organisation built on sovereignty and ethics would preserve the benefits of cooperation while upholding the freedoms of individuals and nations.”

So says Ramesh Thakur as he presents the case for transition from WHO to IHO.

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 the 13 years since I first interviewed Patrick Basham, Director of the Democracy Institute in Washington DC, he has shown himself to be an outstanding analyst and commentator.

He is erudite on many fronts.

His opinions on the war with Iran may not please you.

But whether you’re a Trump supporter or a critic, his rationale is provocative. Don’t miss it.

And we finish up in The Mailroom with your correspondence and Mrs Producer.

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

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The recent announcement by the Reserve Bank focused on the availability of cash and ATM’s, and commercial bank branches.

The Reserve Bank is currently seeking feedback on these possible changes from the public.

Professor Robert MacCulloch, (who once worked at the Reserve Bank), is forthright in his commentary.

His thoughts on cash, CBDC’s, and privacy versus government control are invaluable.

As are your thoughts 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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Media around the world has been engrossed with reporting, speculating, and arguing the case over the war with Iran.

While it may have been ‘out of the blue’ for many, the conflict came as no surprise to those following the developments in the Middle East.

George Friedman, Chairman and Founder of Geopolitical Futures, exploits knowledge he’s accumulated over decades, providing his opinion on why US President Donald Trump made the decision to attack Iran.

He provides the answers others can’t.

And as always, 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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For some considerable time, in countries with judicial systems like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the U.S., the senior courts have been expanding their power.

Professor Jim Allan was commissioned to write an appraisal of a new 600+ page book for a U.S. law journal.

In summary, he concluded what one Supreme Court has been doing is “bonkers; flat out judicial supremacy”.

This is a book for anyone interested in the law and politics.

We also share comment on a range of current troublesome issues.

And we go to 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.