The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior

July 1985. Greenpeace ship The Rainbow Warrior docks at Marsden Wharf, ready for a major protest campaign at Muroroa Atoll. Everyone knows what happened next. But do you know what went before?

Hosted by James Nokise and co-produced with ABC Radio Australia

A family gathered on a tropical island, looking towards an orange mushroom cloud at sea.

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All episodes:

The Other Cold War

Episode 1
The crew of the Rainbow Warrior should have felt safe and welcome when they arrived in Auckland, New Zealand. We all know what happened next, and who was responsible. But how much do you know about what went down before that?
Rainbow Warrior during operation Exodus Rongelap. Health of many adults and children has suffered as a result of fallout from US nuclear tests. Crew of the Rainbow Warrior take adults, children and 100 tonnes of belongings onboard and ferries to the island of Mejato, 14 hrs sailing from Rongelap.

The Day of the Two Suns

Episode 2
The Atomic Age arrives in the Marshall Islands as the US turns the region into a nuclear testing ground. But after one massive detonation, nothing will ever be the same for the people of Rongelap Atoll.
A large, fiery explosion creates a mushroom cloud against a dark red sky.

Project 4.1

Episode 3
In the days after the Castle Bravo detonation, the people of Rongelap desperately need help. It arrived. But with that help came something they didn’t expect, and never agreed to.
White document on black background. Document has several annotations, including black marker redactions and 'Unclassified' stamps.

The Land and the Soul

Episode 4
Jeton Anjain has had enough. He decides to act to save his people. And with the help of some well-connected friends, he pulls off one of the great humanitarian acts of the 20th century.
Evacuation of Rongelap Islanders to Mejato by the Rainbow Warrior crew in the Pacific 1985. Rongelap suffered nuclear fallout from US nuclear tests done from 1946 - 1958, making it a hazardous place to live. The health of many adults and children has suffered as a result. The Greenpeace crew took adults, children and 100 tonnes of belongings onboard.

Operation Satanique

Episode 5
Back in New Zealand, public anger is at its peak as the hunt begins for those responsible for bombing the Rainbow Warrior. Shockwaves ripple across the globe when it’s discovered who did it.
The Rainbow Warrior is in Marsden Wharf in Auckland Harbour after the bombing by French secret service agents.

Legacies

Episode 6
The people of Rongelap have a new, safer home. But at what cost? What does the future hold? And can they ever go home again?
Portrait of Jeton Anjain wearing a brown shirt and wire rimmed glasses standing on a boat in front of the ocean and an island.

Introducing: The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior

Trailer
You probably know about the last moments of the Rainbow Warrior. But what do you know about the Greenpeace ship’s last voyage before it was bombed by the French in New Zealand in 1985? Where had it come from, why was it there and what was it doing? Find out in The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior.
A family gathered on a tropical island, looking towards an orange mushroom cloud at sea.

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