History

Today marks 90 years since New Zealand's deadliest natural disaster.

The Hawke's Bay earthquake on February the 3rd, 1931 killed 256 people, turning Napier and Hastings to rubble.

The cities were… Audio

A dawn service has been held this morning at Ruapekapeka Pā near Waitangi to remember the soldiers who died during one of the countrys first major conflicts over the Treaty of Waitangi. 

The small… Audio

Today marks 90 years since the Hawke's Bay earthquake.

At 10.47am on Tuesday, February the third 1931, a 7.8 magnitude shake all but levelled Napier and Hastings. Hamilton Logan, who was six at the… Audio

NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui is the next compelling chapter in RNZ’s award-winning documentary project on the New Zealand Wars. Made with the support of NZ On Air.

  Video

Labour MPs are currently being welcomed on to Te Tii Marae in Waitangi, for the first time in four years.

The powhiri begins the official events at Waitangi - as many people start to make their way… Audio

For the first time since Waitangi proceedings were moved to the Treaty Grounds, politicians will be welcomed on to Te Tii marae. 

The formal proceedings will still be held on Thursday when all… Audio

Today's expert was all about the earliest humans, homo sapiens - genetically, we haven't changed all that much in 50,000 years, but we have been busy. Professor Murray Cox talks to Wallace all about… Audio

Preparations for Waitangi are underway - with heightened precautions in place following the Northland Covid-19 case last week.

The Waitangi national trust and iwi leaders agreed for events to go… Audio

In his new book, The Age of Fitness, Professor Jürgen Martschukat traces the beginnings of our modern obsession with fitness and looks at how our physical health is increasingly linked to success… Audio

Book reading has been on a high during the pandemic, with sales of historical fiction in particular soaring. Novelist Kate Mosse's new book, The City of Tears, has been gaining rave reviews. Kate… Audio

In 2015, a metre under English soil, two metal-detector enthusiasts (or detectorists) literally struck gold . They discovered an underground Viking treasure trove: a bangle, pendant and a ring, with a… Audio

Christchurch based audio historian and researcher Sarah Johnston (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Rakaipaaka) recently won a Judith Binney Writing Award to study the National Broadcasting Service's Mobile… Audio

The annual vintage machinery showcase is cranking into gear in Southland this weekend. Audio

New Zealanders can soon dive into history and explore the country's oldest-known shipwreck as part of a new documentary series set in remote Fiordland.

Last winter Toitū Otago Settlers Museum… Video, Audio

This week we take you back to the mid 80's - a time of Yuppies, shoulder pads, boat shoes, and lots of spending!  Producer Janice Finn and writer, Rosemary McLeod talk about creating the so-called… Audio

European scientists originally labelled Aotearoa's plants with Latin names but now some biologists want to use Māori.

Support for the restoration of indigenous names to native plants and animals is… Audio

Followers of Rātana are searching for a new way forward for the faith, amid internal ructions. 

Today marks the 148th birthday of their founder, Tahupōtiki Wiremua Rātana, an annual celebration that… Audio