William Ray
7: Votes, Depressions and Refrigerators
After the wars, politicians had to figure out how to run the new country. Bold choices saw huge spending on infrastructure, the right of women to vote and the start of refrigeration, helping us out of… Audio
6: New Zealand Wars (Part 2)
As British troops leave, settler militia enter the fray. Some Māori chose to fight alongside the Crown while others join new religious movements, which seem to promise a way out of the conflict. Audio
5: New Zealand Wars (Part 1)
Hunger for land and the rise of Kingitanga prompted Governor George Grey to invade Waikato in 1863. Fighting spread over years and into the Bay of Plenty, devastating Maori. But it was not as… Audio
4: Te Tiriti o Waitangi
In Europe, factions debated the future of Aotearoa, while Māori had their own ideas how to handle the growing number of Pākehā here. In the end, Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed, but the early promise… Audio
3: Early Encounters
Abel Tasman and James Cook’s first contacts with Māori were complex and sometimes violent. Europeans brought new technologies, food and ideas, such as muskets, potatoes and Christianity. In some cases… Audio
2: Tangata Whenua
Around 850 years ago Polynesian explorers found an empty land and the story of people in Aotearoa began. A new culture emerged; tangata whenua had arrived and started to thrive. Audio
The Aotearoa History Show!
The story of New Zealand and its people, from its geological origins to modern day. Hosted by William Ray and Leigh-Marama McLachlan, with animation by Chris Maguren. Made possible by the RNZ/NZ On… Audio
The Aotearoa History Show webseries
The government's recent announcement that NZ history will be have to be taught in school, addresses the anomaly that saw this country one of few in the world that hasn't had its own history as a… Audio
1: Prehistoric New Zealand
Before people there was the land. We start the story of New Zealand 100 million years ago as tectonic forces tear apart Gondwana and Zealandia/Te Riu-a-Maiu is formed. Audio
The History of Aotearoa New Zealand now has a podcast!
RNZ presents The Aotearoa History Show - this time as an audio only podcast! Audio
The science of Matariki
Professor Rangi Mātāmua talks about the 120-year-old book which has preserved his ancestors' knowledge of Māori astronomy. Audio
Our Changing World for 4 July 2019
To mark Matariki, the Māori New Year, we join Dr Rangi Matamua from the University of Waikato to hear about Māori astronomy. Audio
Baby farming scandal: The Motherhood of Man
In 1953 New Zealand was rocked by an enormous scandal. A group called the Motherhood of Man Movement had been caught running a baby farming scheme. Audio
Telling the Time
Nights' physicist Shaun Hendy joins us once again. Tonight we're using dimensional analysis to tell the time. Audio
Game of Thrones 101
Game of Thrones mania is upon us, as the final season premiered on television around the world yesterday. If you're wondering what the fuss is about, RNZ's resident GoT expert takes you through a… Video, Audio
The story of White Supremacy
In this special episode of Black Sheep, William Ray looks at the history of white supremacy in NZ. Audio
RNZ's Bang and Black Sheep live shows
The creators and hosts of the popular RNZ podcasts BANG! and Black Sheep are heading to Christchurch for a live show! Audio
Counting Black Sheep
A few listeners told William this podcast puts them to sleep. But you know what? He's just happy to help. If you'd like William to put you to sleep in person: book a FREE ticket to our live podcast… Audio
Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 2)
In part two, how Gustavus von Tempsky went from a relatively famous soldier to the uber-hero of NZ colonial history. Audio
Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 1)
He was larger than life, a warrior and artist who's legend has only grown since his death in 1868.... but Gustavus von Tempsky had a dark side Audio