Mr Leighton Smith, of Auckland, MNZM for services to broadcasting
Mr Leighton Smith was the leading New Zealand morning radio host on Newstalk ZB’s The Leighton Smith Show for 33 years, focusing on current affairs and major international issues. Since 2019, he has specialised in long-form interviews, producing more than 300 podcast episodes for New Zealand Media and Entertainment. He has been a staunch advocate for free speech, providing a platform for diverse viewpoints. He started advertising for several start-up businesses, and, with his support, these businesses went on to grow and become well-known. Mr Smith has won numerous awards and also writes opinion pieces for the New Zealand Herald.