History
Sarah Ell: A portrait of New Zealand and the sea
As the last habitable land mass in the world to be settled by humans, New Zealand has a history representing the two great seafaring traditions, Polynesian and European. Sailor, writer and historian… 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
Rebecca Rice on the significance of the Terracotta Warriors
Dr Rebecca Rice explains the significance of The Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition that opens at Te Papa on 15 December. The Terracotta Warriors are 2,300 year old artworks of… Audio, Gallery
Celebrations as historic Fiordland viaduct reopens
More than 50 people, including Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, flew into Fiordland to mark the reopening of Percy Burn Viaduct - the world's highest surviving wooden bridge. Video, Audio
Old diary and maps lead to discovery of iconic terraces' site
The notes of a 19th Century geologist have helped scientists to pinpoint the location of the iconic Pink and White Terraces.
The mystery of the terracotta warriors
Kathryn Ryan speaks with British scholar and historian Edward Burman about the extraordinary and mysterious 2,000 year old terracotta warriors of China - considered to be one of the greatest… Audio, Gallery
Ngā Taonga: History of the Post Office
Ngā Taonga - With the possibility the remaining 79 Post Shops will close, Sarah Johnston dredges up recordings of the mid-century Post Office - employer of 16,000 staff - and its decline during the… Audio, Gallery
The overshadowed French Navigators and Naturalists
Mike Lee is known to many as an Auckland councillor and before that the chair of Auckland Regional Council. But he is also a keen historian, French speaker and enthusiast of the contributions that… Audio, Gallery
Always Another Country: Sisonke Msimang
South African human rights activist and writer Sisonke Msimang's first book Always Another Country is "a memoir of exile and home." The daughter of an ANC freedom fighter, as a child she was always… Audio
'Irreplaceable national heritage is being lost all the time' - scientist
A moa skeleton sold in Britain for $51,986 this week, sparking questions about laws protecting New Zealand antiquities.
Instant noodles: BBC podcast tells their untold story
Sold in pots, packets, cups and bowls, the instant noodle turns 60 this year. And love them or loathe them, this cheap DIY fast food is still celebrated as a triumph of modern food production and even… Audio
Headlong, Surviving Y2K: remembering the millennium hysteria of 1999
Remember the fearful run-up to the moment when the calendar clicked over to Saturday 1 January 2000 and the whole of modern civilisation as we knew it would fall off a cliff? In Headlong: Surviving… Audio
Coastal Pacific Rail Line reopens
South Islanders are celebrating the reopening of the Coastal Pacific Rail Line, which was wrecked by the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake. Video, Audio
Can we buck the curse of the years ending in 8?
New Zealand has had a recession every year ending in 8 since 1968. Apart from 1948, the other '8' years in the century since 1918 weren't great either. So is 2018 the exception? And if so, why? Audio
Our Changing World for 22 November 2018
The Department of Conservation celebrates 70 years since the momentous rediscovery of takahē in Fiordland with the families of the original discovery party members. Audio
Celebrating 70 years since takahē rediscovery
The Department of Conservation and special guests celebrate the dramatic rediscovery of the takahē in Fiordland, 70 years ago. Video, Audio
Celebrating 70 years since takahē rediscovery
The Department of Conservation and special guests celebrate the dramatic rediscovery of the takahē in Fiordland, 70 years ago.
Video, AudioLanguage and History: A 'trivial' matter?
In the recent NCEA history exam, some students did not know the meaning of 'trivial' and struggled to answer the set question. What does this case tells us about the state of history and language? Audio
Victory at Gate Pa?
Victory at Gate Pa? is the first account of its kind where the battle at Gate Pa is expertly examined and written about from both perspectives of Maori and Pakeha. Audio
Petition to bring back Santa's finger
Once thought of as leering and lewed it seems some people miss the giant Santa winking eye and "come hither" finger on the Queen St Auckland Farmers building. Hayden Donnell tells us why he thinks the… Audio