History
Reliving the gold rush of days gone by in Aotearoa
The New Zealand gold rush kicked off in 1861 after gold was found near the Tuapeka River in Otago. Now a Clutha museum is bringing that history back to life. Tuapeka Goldfields Museum & Visitor… Audio
Christchurch Commonwealth games in 1974 first colour TV broadcast in NZ
Thursday marks 50 years since Dick Tayler galloped to 10,000 metre glory at the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
The Christchurch games, dubbed "the friendly games" marked the second time New Zealand hosted… Audio
Made in NZ: NZ Sock Co
For Made in NZ today we're going down to Ashburton, where a company has been manufacturing socks for well over 120 years. The New Zealand Sock Company was established in 1901. Audio
'Insipid' threat to heritage in Dunedin
A proposed development has become a focal point for heritage advocates who say the city's history is being torn down and replaced by "insipid glass and steel".
Memories from Tangiwai disaster still vivid 70 years on - rescuer
An Ohakune man attending the memorial service of the Tangiwai rail disaster says he is still touched by the events seventy years on.
Sunday History Hit with Thomas Rillstone
Thomas Rillstone, host of the award winning History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast, joins Susana Lei'ataua on The Weekend for the final instalment in our three-part Sunday History Hits series. Across… Audio
The story of Treasure Island Caravan Park
The same families have been visiting Treasure Island Caravan Park in Patua, Northland, for decades. During that time the little kids that zoomed around the camp ground have grown up to become big kids… Audio
Tangiwai disaster 70th anniversary
On Christmas Eve 1953, 151 passengers lost their lives when a train travelling between Wellington and Auckland derailed into a river in Tangiwai. It is still New Zealand's worst rail disaster.
This… Audio
Remains of two males laid to rest in royal funeral service in Tonga 150 years after deaths
The remains of two Tongan males stored in the Australian Museum's collection in Sydney have been repatriated to their descendants living on 'Eua Island.
70 years on from Aotearoa's deadliest rail tragedy
Many over a certain age can recall where they were when they learned of the Tangiwai Disaster. On Christmas Eve, 1953, a packed express Wellington to Auckland train plunged into a raging Whangaehu… Audio
Retracing the steps of Nancy Wake
Preparation is underway across the Tasman for a group of female veterans set to embark on an extraordinary adventure - retracing the steps of one of our most celebrated war heroes, Nancy Wake. Audio
Blue Smoke: Out of the Corners
All New Zealand musicians found it hard to get heard with original material in the late 1970s. It was especially tough for female musicians outside the mainstream. The women’s music movement realised… Audio
Sunday History Hit with Thomas Rillstone
Thomas Rillstone, host of the award winning History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast, joins Susana Lei'ataua for the first in a three part series of 'Sunday History Hits'. Across the three instalments… Audio
Huge ancient lost city found in the Amazon
A huge ancient city hidden for thousands of years by lush vegetation has been found, and changes what we know about the history of people living in the Amazon.
Slice of history: How NZ golfers got their photos back
Photographs sent overseas, lost, and then destined for the landfill are filling gaps in our sporting history.
Call for national wine museum
"A light, white wine," read New Zealand's first ever tasting note, penned in 1840. Audio
Gallery owner defends selling historical photos back to NZ
Part of a treasure trove of photos has been saved from ending up in an American landfill. Audio
Historical New Zealand photos nearly sent to US landfill
Dame Whina Cooper's daughter is pleased thousands of photos of Māori life from the early 20th century have been brought back into New Zealand, but is unhappy they ended up overseas and nearly sent to… Audio
Blue Smoke: Stones Goin’ Down Under
Since the Rolling Stones first toured here in 1965, New Zealand musicians have always shown the band respect. With the release of the Stones’ new album Hackney Diamonds, this episode of Blue Smoke… Audio
Te Rauparaha: Kei Wareware
This five-part podcast series tells the story of the life and times of Ngāti Toa leader Te Rauparaha, a compelling figure in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
