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.

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Peter Boghossian resigned from his position as Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Portland State University, where he had taught for ten years.

He left under pressure. His letter of resignation is on his website, and is compulsory reading. It is entitled, “My University Sacrificed Ideas for Ideology”.

We interviewed him first in 2015. He now travels a great deal, gives speeches frequently, and writes and is published on numerous outlets.

Let us know what you think of the interview, in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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

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It’s no secret that New Zealand is confronted with numerous and problematic issues.

There is a common belief that leadership is a major cause of those problems. And not just political leadership; it is widespread.

There is a weakness that can only be confronted by strength of character and a determination that is in short supply.

Deputy Leader of NZ First, Shane Jones provides “character” that may not please some, but is worthy of consideration by those who come up short of requirements.

And, after the Mailroom with Mrs Producer, we consider a couple of those matters.

File your comments and complaints at Leighton@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.