History
Archives NZ says it has enough space - for now
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin.
Rātana, revised: New edition of book capturing the influential priest
Nearly 85 years since the death of its founder, the Rātana movement still carries a significant amount of mana in Aotearoa's political and social spheres. But that is only one side to the story of… Audio
'Devastating blow': Archives NZ shutting down digitisation programme
It has been running for seven years, digitising almost two million historically significant images to protect them from wear and tear and make them accessible worldwide online.
History with Dr Grant Morris
Back in August 2018 we talked about the history of free speech in NZ. In the last few weeks there has been some controversy at my university over a planned debate on freedom of speech. Today we can… Audio
Sports History NZ: The 1981 Springbok Tour
When the Springboks arrived in 1981, which side were you on? Audio
Sports History NZ: Erin Baker
There's good. There's great. And then there's Erin Baker. Audio
Sports History NZ: Chris Lewis
In 1983 tennis star Chris Lewis went all the way to the final at Wimbledon. Audio
Myth Takes: The birth of Rome
Classics enthusiast and educator Ben Jackson is back to celebrate Rome's birthday, allegedly founded on 21 April, 753 BCE, by brothers Romulus and Remus. Audio
Mystery Roman artefact sparks wild speculation
Found during a dig in the UK, the 12-sided object has been likened to a dog treat dispenser, a spaghetti measure and even a measuring gauge for slingshot.
King's coronation roll had one tiny error in 21 metres
The 21m-long manuscript has 11,500 hand-written words and took the calligrapher 56 consecutive days to complete.
The Chills' Martin Phillipps Music Collection up for sale
One of New Zealand's most prominent and influential songwriters, Martin Phillipps from Dunedin band The Chills is selling his music collection, and it's no ordinary collection. Thousands of rare CDs… Audio
Maori talent alongside Booker & Pulitzer prize winners at Auckland Writers Festival
The Auckland Writers Festival starts on May 14 and its promotional push highlights a roll-call of talent from across the arts; Booker prize winner for 2023, Paul Lynch, plus generations of Maori… Audio
Finn McCahon-Jones: letters between best friends
A collection of letters written to and from iconic New Zealand painter Colin McCahon sheds light on a special relationship spanning four decades. McCahon met penpal Ron O'Reilly in 1938, when the pair… Audio
John Adams: stopping the Stonehenge road tunnel
From the A303 in Wiltshire, motorists can catch sight of the megalithic structure of Stonehenge. But as a primary route for both commuters and holiday makers the road is notoriously traffic-clogged… Audio
From the Archives - D-Day for Ducks
In 1973 Alan Wilkes was out with his Labrador Zara and comrades at the opening of the duck shooting season. This story from the Spectrum archives was recorded on Kohangatera, a network of lagoons… Audio
Did a student union buy a tank for the Vietnam War?
In 1972, the Victoria University students' association raised $2000 for the war - but did it go to the Viet Cong to buy a tank? Audio
Duck shooting - a family tradition
West Otago farmer, Adrian McIntyre, says the late grain harvest down his way means there are plenty of ducks around for the opening of the duck shooting season. The first weekend is a bit like… Audio
Sports History NZ: Coming Soon
Jesse Mulligan, host of the daily Afternoons programme on RNZ, talks to our athletes, administrators and journalists about major moments in New Zealand sport. Audio
Rare cars up for auction this weekend
Ever fancied driving a bubble car or NZ's only Amphicar? Well these rare motoring gems among others are going under the hammer this weekend. Webb's Auction Head of Collectors' Cars Caolan McAleer… Audio
Mangahāwea: The final frontier of human settlement
Moa bones, obsidian and tools found at the site indicate people first arrived here as early as 1250 AD - the last land mass in the entire world to be settled by humans. Audio