History

Nights' resident classics educator and enthusiast Ben Jackson unpacks the epic homecoming story from antiquity in light of the new Christopher Nolan film adaptation slated for 2026. Audio

Treaty Talks is a visual podcast hosted by Kara Rickard that dives deep into the history and impact of Aotearoa's founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Video

We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it’s shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickard sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context of pre-arrival. Video

The kōrero covers how early European settlers showed up in Aotearoa and changed everything for Māori, kicking off with Abel Tasman in 1642 and James Cook in 1769. Video

The kōrero looks into the significance of He Whakaputanga (the Declaration of Independence) in 1835, which affirmed Māori sovereignty prior to the Treaty of Waitangi. Video

Dr. Ella Henry shares her insights on the history, resilience, and future of Māori. She deconstructs the myths and misconceptions surrounding life before Pākeha arrival. Video

Dr. Luke Fitzmaurice-Brown, a lawyer and treaty educator, explains how the principles of Te Tiriti of Waitangi were established in the '70s and '80s to interpret the treaty. Video

This episode goes deeper into colonisation of Māori. Te Wehi, an educator, shares how settlers deliberately undermined Māori language, land, and culture through laws and policies. Video

We explore the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal, the Treaty settlement process, and the recognition of tikanga Māori as the first law of Aotearoa. Video

Dr. Veronica Tawhai joins us to unpick what it might take to restore tino rangatiratanga in Aotearoa. Video

Renowned music journalist Jan Gradvall gained unparalleled access to ABBA after doing a story for a Swedish newspaper in 2013 and subsequently gaining the group's trust. Audio

This weekend marks 60 years since The Rolling Stones toured New Zealand. It was the band's first visit to NZ and Australia and at time the longest travel they had undertaken in their career. The tour… Audio

Michael Wynd is the researcher and military historian at the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. and joins Emile Donovan. Audio

It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong. Video

Ou Shee and her family survive the brutal Canton Operation in southern China and leave for New Zealand in the hope of attaining permanent residency. Video

During the Japanese invasion, Liu Boo Lung fled Sun Wui with her daughter, Gin (5), her mother-in-law, Chan Shee, and her brother-in-law, Wong Fong Sue (15), to New Zealand. Video

"[In 1938] the Japanese invaders began to move south. The approaching invasion meant everyone's lives were in jeopardy. There was anxiety and fear in the village." Video