Leighton Smith (radio host)
New Zealand broadcaster
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Leighton Irwin Smith MNZM (born 13 December 1946) is an Australian-born award-winning former talkback radio host based in Auckland, New Zealand. Until December 2018, he presented the 8:30 am to midday slot from Monday to Friday on commercial talk radio network Newstalk ZB.[1][2]
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13 December 1946[citation needed]
Leighton Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in 2026 | |
| Born | Leighton Irwin Smith 13 December 1946[citation needed] Australia |
| Occupation | Radio host |
| Years active | 1980-2018 |
Smith started his broadcasting career on Sydney's 2CH as a "junior disco jockey". He moved to New Zealand for a one-year stint with 2ZB in Wellington in 1980, but stayed for five years.[3] After a brief stint on a radio in Adelaide, Smith returned to Auckland in 1985, presenting on 1ZB, soon renamed Newstalk ZB. He remained in the 8:30am to midday timeslot until his retirement in 2018.[3]
Smith won Best Talk Back Host or Hosts - All Markets at the 2013 New Zealand Radio Awards.[4] In October 2018 he was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.
In a 2007 interview with libertarian magazine the Free Radical, he described himself as somewhat libertarian.[5] He released his book Beyond the Microphone at the end of 2013.[6]
Smith has expressed disbelief in anthropogenic climate change. He has no scientific qualifications.[7]
He used to own the Clevedon Hills vineyard, near Auckland.
Smith recently published his 300th The Leighton Smith Podcast.
In the 2026 New Year Honours, Smith was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to broadcasting.[8]