A sketch show for kids that honours New Zealand history by telling some of our incredible, funny, inspiring, and outrageous stories.
Made with the support of NZ On Air
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My Favourite Dead Person is a sketch show for kids that honours New Zealand history by telling some of our incredible, funny, inspiring, and outrageous stories, while highlighting what makes them unique and relevant to our special corner of the world.
In each episode, comedian Josh Thomson is joined by tamariki who bring these stories to life through their own interpretations and comedic sketches. From a Kiwi parachute tester to a record-breaking female pilot, a sneaky con artist, and even the father of physics, their stories are hilariously explored in My Favourite Dead Person.
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- After some difficulty finding employment, Thomas Coysh turned his focus to Para alpine skiing and spends the ski season training on Cardrona's slopes. Bunking in a yurt nearby, he skis with his ski guide, John, who uses audio cues through the use of headsets or speakers for Thomas to ski untethered.7m
Back to Timor
Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?43mDocumentary
In 2018, RNZ followed the St Paul's College Samoan group as they sacrificed weeks of their lives to compete for Polyfest glory.1h 0mFull Concert
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After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.1h 4mDocumentary
This documentary looks at the results of Niue's constitution through the eyes of those who have stayed, those who left, those who returned. But most importantly for the survival of Niue, this will be for those to come...44mDocumentary
I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.1h 10mFly Like a Moa
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Isabella Moore’s career soared with body positivity, but fashion’s return to thinness now threatens everything she’s fought for as a Samoan-Kiwi curve model.10mDocumentary
Joy, Full & Fearless follows the trauma and triumph of Joy Cowley's astonishing life as New Zealand's prolific, widely published and celebrated author of children's fiction. Available in NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands.56mThe Great NZ Sell-Off
From Telecom to Air New Zealand, the BNZ to our power companies why did governments sell our state assets, and what did we get in return? Now the Government is eyeing a sale of its Chorus debt. Join Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann as they look back at four decades of selling the family silver.42mMelissa Chan-Green | Til Death
Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.57mDocumentary
NewThis documentary exposes Antarctica's dramatic climate shifts, from melting ice to rising seas, showing how changes at the world's edge threaten Earth's shared future.18m"No Ride. Just Pure Vibes and Aroha."
Torrell and Trexx kick off their race across the North Island, relying on Kiwi kindness to complete their first challenges in Auckland and Wellington.10mFlight Night
Rumour has it that every Halloween, the tiny humans transform into hideous monsters—including something so unspeakably awful, even grown-ups have nightmares about it.5mA Dress and a Cardigan for Mele
In Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Tongan grandmother Liliani and her daughter Kesaia find that even though they talk every day on the phone (and have for 17 years), they have more in common than they thought.3mRabbits and Other Pests
No one knows for sure who first introduced rabbits to New Zealand, because no one wanted to take the blame for what became one of New Zealand's biggest environmental and economic disasters. We start season two burrowing into the devastating history of rabbits and other pests.19mDocumentary
The untold stories of WWII Native Wireless Operators.52mTangata Whenua
The first episode tackles the settlement of Aotearoa. From Polynesian travelers, right through to British and European settlers.11mEdward Osei-Nketia
At 19, Eddie Osei-Nketia is the fastest person in Australasia, and is looking to break the New Zealand 100m record.7m3 the Hard Way, "Hip Hop Holiday"
This episode showcases 3 the Hard Way’s first debut single ‘Hip Hop Holiday’. It was the first single with a NZ On Air-funded video to reach No.1, where it solidly remained for three weeks in early 1994.9mMigrant Sex Workers
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NewMez & Mahlete Tekeste only envisioned the Black Lives Matter protest march to be themselves and a close circle of friends. Within 24 hours, their flyer had been shared by some of the biggest names in New Zealand.9mThe Announcement
Blindspott’s Marcus Powell gathers Crescendo Trust’s most promising emerging artists and offers them the biggest opportunity of their lives. Will they overcome their demons to pull it off?16mAotearoa - Waking Up to the Dawn Raids
The Dawn Raids story is overdue to be told. Long whispered about in secret family conversations, people have heard the words "dawn raids" but not what really happened.14m- 26m
Stan Walker - "I Am"
NewThe final episode of Whakamāori was recorded live at Waikato University's Tauranga campus during the Te Tohu Paetahi wānanga, surrounded by tauira on their own haerenga with re reo Māori. To close the season, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Ngairo Eruera—translate Stan Walker's "I Am," a powerful waiata about identity, pride, and knowing your worth. With tauira in the room, the session became more than a translation—it turned into a shared learning space where every kupu sparked kōrero about whakapapa, confidence, and the reo we use to affirm who we are. A fitting way to wrap up the season: celebrating growth, language, and the strength we find in each other as Māori.46mChinese
We meet the Chinese community in Dunedin and learn about one of Aotearoa’s most established migrant communities26mMisty Frequency
Drag icon Misty Frequency kaupapa is to celebrate autistic and Takatāpui excellence. They are looking to storm the stage at the Drag Wars competition with a cash prize up for grabs.8mWelly on a Plate
In 2018, a huge amount of cooked spaghetti was dumped on Wellington’s Mt. Vic lookout and we still don’t know why. Bubbah is shocked people have just moved on. How could you move on from this?!9mEpisode 1
Piripi takes us on a tour of his kingdom, introducing his girlfriend Luxy and showcasing his many talents, which include cleaning the whare and doing the lawns... NOT!9mTākuta Ferris levels new allegations against Te Pāti Māori executive
NewOusted Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris speaks candidly to Mihingarangi Forbes about the mounting internal tensions within Te Pāti Māori that led to the current fall out. John Tamihere was approached to respond to the allegations made in this episode. He declined to comment on what he described as "any matters based on hearsay, innuendo, accusation, or insinuation."48mEpisode 1
The programme has started and the trainers are not taking it easy on the new guys.26mThe Chief
In episode one, we first meet the prominent Māori chief Te Whakatōhea Chief Mokomoko who dedicates his life to protecting the land and people of Bay of Plenty's Te Whakatōhea Iwi.29mBondi Babes
Soph's first flight to Sydney leads her to Bondi Beach post-accident, where sand and wheelchairs clash. With the help of lifeguards, she discovers how accessible the beach can be!14mThe Driving Lesson
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Everyone gathers to address a sensitive issue concerning Jasper’s private parts. After the family gets news that Denis doesn’t have long to live, Scarlett prepares to save her grandad from dying.14mFlower Pot Boombox
Fat Freddy’s Drop depart Auckland, bound for London, 2003. Taking up residence for six weeks in Tooting, South London, the band sets up a studio in the lounge, and get straight into rehearsals and making beats.9mSerenade
Mac helps a Palagi boy win over an island girl with an original song.4mverticalMeet and Greet
It's the highly anticipated first day of the netball season, aka Jim's send-off. Will Kate be able to assemble her team of misfits in time?9mPart 1 (2024)
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Oscar-nominated film producer Chelsea Winstanley talks to Anika about overcoming trauma, taking risks, and coming out on top.47mAnne Applebaum
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A person with sweaty hands searches for a dance partner who, like them, bears the clammy burden of a gloss finish.13mKia Tupato (Be Careful)
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Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.7mMamas Return to Play
Juggling new motherhood in often-isolated countries and continuing a sports career can have big pressures on Pasifika women.9mMain Feature
From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.1h 28mSmells Like Home - Rotorua: Dr. Anaha Hiini
Te reo Māori expert Dr. Anaha Hiini calls sulphur and steam the scent of home. Can the hosts balance creativity and wearability in this unusual, Rotorua-inspired scent?16m