History

The author of Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green, and number9dream, David Mitchell, has just released a new novel: his first in five years. Utopia Avenue, is a magical, musical story about '...the… Audio

A new genetic study suggests that Polynesians made an epic voyage to South America 800 years ago. Scientists examined the DNA from 807 people from 14 Polynesian islands and Pacific coastal native… Audio

It's time for our regular Thursday look into the past, The Rest Is History. On this day in 1986 the Homosexual Law Reform Bill passed in Parliament. The bill was sponsored by then Labour MP Fran… Audio

New Zealand has a long history of quarantining people coming into New Zealand. Audio

Auckland teenager and sex worker Jane Furlong went missing back from Karangahape Road in 1993. Audio

A Hawaiian cloak and hat gifted to Captain Cook will stay in their homeland, after Te Papa gifted them to Hawaii.

The ʻahu ʻula and mahiole were given to Cook in 1779 and have been in the collection… Audio

The personal stories of Holocaust survivors are being preserved for future generations - who will be not only able to see a holographic image of an individual speaking, but also ask questions. Audio

We hear archived sound recordings about the tourism heartland of Roto-Vegas. Audio, Gallery

Heritage restorers in the Hokianga town of Rawene made a startling discovery when restoring a former Weslyan Church.  Audio

Penguin colonies, albatross, elephant seals, the Southern Lights and science! Audio, Gallery

William Ray takes a look at the stories behind problematic monuments in New Zealand. Audio

Plans are under way to fund a $400,000 refurbishment of Wellington's Embassy movie theatre. Audio

Jesse speaks to Stuff investigative journalist Mike White. Audio

Dr. David Abulafia's new book The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans is global history of humankind told through our relationship with the world's oceans. He joins the show to discuss… Audio

Christo, the Bulgarian-born conceptual artist best known for wrapping large and unlikely things died last month. He worked for much of his career with partner Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon… Audio, Gallery

In mountaineering circles, saying you'd never want to share a rope with someone is a harsh insult. And when the man saying these things about you is national hero Sir Edmund Hillary, it really isn't… Audio

It's now time for The Rest Is History and this week we're looking at the story of a very important ship, which disappeared for over a hundred years.  Audio

Moa bones are expected to get greater protection under new proposals announced today. The government is proposing to create regulations under the Wildlife Act to ban the sale of moa bones and other… Video, Audio