Ron Palenski
New book paints birth of New Zealand rugby in different light
Dr. Ron Palenski's new book, Our Game: New Zealand Rugby at 150 offers a fresh take on the beginnings of the game of rugby in this country, with the veteran scribe offering new evidence of a game that… Audio
Rugby braces for a 'once in a generation' shake-up
The Chair of Wellington Rugby Club says "every club is bust" and the game has changed too fast for clubs to adapt.
This comes as New Zealand Rugby flags changes to save up to $20 to 30 million. Harry… Audio
Sir Peter Snell's friend recalls record-breaking Olympian
The head of world athletics, Sebastian Coe, has joined those paying tribute to Sir Peter Snell, who died in his sleep from heart failure at his home in Dallas on Saturday at the age of 80.
Lord Coe… Audio
NZ Biography: Sir Colin Meads
To coincide with the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, today's biography covers the life of Sir Colin Meads. Audio, Gallery
Shamed All Black deserves posthumous apology
In his book Murdoch - the All Black who never returned, rugby historian Ron Palenski delves into the layers of speculation about what really happened in Cardiff, prior to prop Keith Murdoch being sent… Audio
'Meads' rugby was dug out of the farmland'
Rugby journalist and historian Ron Palenski and commentator Keith Quinn reflect on what made Sir Colin Meads great. Audio
Drawn Lions series and Lions test a fair result - experts
Veteran rugby experts John McBeth and Ron Palenski pick apart Lions tour - they say a drawn series was a fair result and the referee is not to blame. Audio
Highlanders beat Lions in last minute thriller
Highlanders come from behind to topple Lions in last-minute thriller in Dunedin. Rugby historian Ron Palenski was in the crowd. Audio
Where is the real Snell Singlet?
It's set to become one of New Zealand's great sporting mysteries... Where is the real singlet Sir Peter Snell wore when he won two gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics? Te Papa yesterday withdrew… Audio
Snell wants historic singlet to stay in New Zealand
Olympic legend Sir Peter Snell says he's staggered Te Papa paid 122-thousand dollars for the black singlet he wore when he won gold medals in the 8-hundred metres and 15-hundred metres at the Tokyo… Audio
Historian Ron Palenski on Lomu's impact
Comment from author and rugby historian Ron Palenski. Audio
Ron Palenski - Heart of Rugby
For most New Zealanders, rugby is much more than 15 men throwing a ball around for 80 minutes on a field - instead it is a part of our identity and psyche. Ron Palenski has written a definitive… Audio
The soldier-making game: Sport in WW1
In 1902 one of New Zealand's very first All Blacks called rugby "the good, manly and soldier-making game". We explore the role of sport in WW1 with sport historian Greg Ryan and Dr Ron Palenski, chief… Audio
Wimbledon tennis
As this year's competition gets underway it's time to remember the Kiwi who is the greatest Wimbledon champion you've never heard of. One writer in the UK is calling him the forgotten great sportsman… Audio
Men of Valour: New Zealand and the Battle for Crete
For decades, the bravery of New Zealanders at Gallipoli during the First World War has taken centre stage on ANZAC Day. But author Dr Ron Palenski says The Battle for Crete should also command a very… Audio
Ron Palenski - History and Identity
Talks about the impact of Maori culture and influences as diverse as standard time, the telegraph, newspapers and the meat trade; on growing a national identity. Audio
'Ruck It! How Otago Shaped Rugby History'
The Hocken Library in Dunedin has opened an exhibition that aims to set the record straight on one of the basic tenets of the fifteen man game - the ruck! Audio
Rugby Ball
A souvenir rugby ball, signed 66 years ago by members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force rugby team, has been found hidden in a pewter cup. The team was made up of New Zealand soldiers who had… Audio
Author slot - Ron Palenski
Ron Palenski - author, historian and former sports journalist. Has just put out Kiwi Battlefields, about all the major battles that NZ troops have been involved in. Audio
Feature Guest - Ron Palenski
Veteran sportswriter, journalist and now historian, Ron Palenski on his books about New Zealanders on the sports field, and the battlefields of war. Audio