Podcasts by Black Sheep

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 2 from 2023-07-07T05:00

From the 1840s onward, Frederick Maning would become an increasingly bitter and angry man who demonised Māori who opposed colonisation. So what explains this radical transition from a romantic earl...

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 1 from 2023-06-30T05:00

Frederick Maning was one of the first Europeans to settle in Aotearoa, he married a high-ranking Ngāpuhi woman, and wrote two books filled with romantic anecdotes of his time living alongside Māori...

Gender Bender: the story of Hjelmar Dannevill from 2023-06-23T05:00

In the 1910s, Hjelmar Dannevill wowed high society with gripping tales of adventure as a medical researcher and journalist. But suspicions over her fantastical stories and insistence on wearing men...

Death Ray: the story of Victor Penny from 2023-06-16T05:00

In 1935, a series of extraordinary newspaper articles claimed a backyard inventor called Victor Penny was trying to build a Death Ray for the New Zealand government. But were these claims true? RNZ...

Scientific Racist: the story of Alfred Newman from 2023-06-09T05:00

Dr Alfred Newman may be the most notorious scientific racist in New Zealand history. His 1882 paper "A study of the causes leading to the extinction of the Māori" was so extreme that it scandalised...

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 2 from 2023-06-02T13:44

In the second of a two-part episode on Charles Mackay Black Sheep investigates the mysteries surrounding the Whanganui Mayor's attempted murder of D'Arcy Cresswell - a former soldier who threatened...

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 1 from 2023-05-26T05:00

For more than 50 years the name of Mayor Charles Mackay was all but forbidden in Whanganui. In 1920 Mackay shot a man through the chest after he threated to expose the mayor's homosexuality. RNZ's ...

Black Sheep Season 7 Trailer from 2023-05-17T10:15

RNZ multi award-winning podcast Black Sheep returns on May 26th with a new cast of mysterious misfits, violent villains and controversial characters. 

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 2 from 2021-05-24T05:00

When flamboyant orchestra conductor Eric Mareo was convicted of murder for a second time, the judge raised grave concerns about the verdict with the Attorney General. So, did 1930s prejudice and se...

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 1 from 2021-05-17T05:00

Kiwis rose to their feet and cheered when the flamboyant orchestra conductor Eric Mareo was found guilty of murdering his wife in 1936. But 85 years later, the verdict seems less certain. Was justi...

Escape Artist: the story of George Wilder from 2021-05-10T05:00

George Wilder is an accidental folk hero. He never sought the spotlight, but his three escapes from prison in the 1960s made him a national sensation. Black Sheep investigates his story.

Slaver: the story of Thomas McGrath from 2021-05-03T05:00

In 1863 half the population of a small Tongan island called 'Ata boarded a ship captained by Thomas McGrath. They were never seen again. In this episode, Black Sheep investigates the story of a sla...

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 2 from 2021-04-27T05:00

In the second of Black Sheep's two part episode on Sir George Grey, Aotearoa is launched into the worst conflicts of the New Zealand Wars. For more on the Waikato War, watch and listen to Stories o...

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 1 from 2021-04-19T07:00

Sir George Grey led Aotearoa into some of the worst conflicts of the New Zealand Wars. But at the beginning of his career many saw him as a defender of indigenous rights - including some Māori! So....

Black Sheep Season Six Trailer from 2021-04-14T16:30

Black Sheep returns for a Sixth Season!

Baby Farmer: the story of Minnie Dean from 2020-08-31T07:00

Minnie Dean must rank as one of New Zealand's most infamous figures. The only woman to be judicially executed in New Zealand history. For years she was portrayed as a cold-blooded killer who murder...

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 2) from 2020-08-24T07:00

The case breaks wide open, two key witnesses come forward with critical information. But the most interesting part of the Bassett Road murders is what happens after the conviction...

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 1) from 2020-08-17T07:00

It's 1963 and two bodies are found in a house at Bassett Road in Remuera. Detectives are shocked to discover they were killed by a submachine-gun. Newspaper headlines read "Chicago Comes to New Zea...

Madam: the story of Flora MacKenzie from 2020-08-10T07:00

Flora MacKenzie is one of the most colourful characters in New Zealand history: A hard drinking, hard talking brothel owner from the 1960s and 70s who won the affection of sex workers, police and p...

Invasive: the story of Stewart Smith from 2020-08-02T07:00

Between the 1960s and late 2000s Stewart Smith went on a one-man crusade, releasing thousands of invasive fish into New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and streams. In this episode of Black Sheep, we inves...

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 2) from 2020-07-27T07:00

In part two of Black Sheep's series on Edward Gibbon Wakefield we see theories of "systematic" and "humanitarian" colonisation run into bitter realities. The result is conflict, death and disaster....

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 1) from 2020-07-20T07:00

Edward Gibbon Wakefield used to be known as “The Father of New Zealand.” But modern historians have pointed to the disastrous impact of his colonial policies on indigenous people, his misleading pr...

Raider: the story of Felix von Luckner from 2020-07-13T07:00

Felix von Luckner was a child aristocrat who ran away to sea, he captained the last square-rigged sailing ship ever to serve in combat, he sailed three thousand kilometres across the Pacific in a l...

The Story Of Statues from 2020-07-06T07:00

The Aotearoa History Show! from 2019-10-08T07:00

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...

The story of White Supremacy from 2019-03-26T07:42

In this special episode of Black Sheep, William Ray looks at the history of white supremacy in NZ.

Death Sentence: the story of NZ's executions from 2019-02-11T10:15

The death penalty has started wars, won elections, outraged the population and ruined lives. Join William Ray for this live podcast recording at the Bread and Circus Festival in Christchurch with g...

Swashbuckler: the story of Bully Hayes from 2018-12-17T13:00

Bully Hayes is famous as a charismatic "pirate" of the South Pacific. But most stories gloss over his more heinous crimes: Slavery, sexual assault and the brutal abuse of his crew.

Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 2) from 2018-12-10T06:25

In part two, how Gustavus von Tempsky went from a relatively famous soldier to the uber-hero of NZ colonial history.

Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 1) from 2018-12-03T06:30

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

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (part 2) from 2018-11-26T06:30

Why do some historians think an NZ-born traitor was "instrumental" in the Japanese victory in Singapore during WWII? 

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (Part 1) from 2018-11-19T06:27

What drove a boy from Reefton to turn against his comrades in World War Two? How was a former boxing and swimming champion recruited as an agent of Imperial Japan?

Con-artist: the story of Amy Bock from 2018-11-12T06:30

Amy Bock was a criminal "supreme in her cleverness". Her most famous con saw her pose as a man for 15 weeks and marry the daughter of her landlord. Nobody has ever been able to explain what motivat...

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (part 2) from 2018-11-05T09:29

The story of Horatio Robley continues... How did a man once dubbed a "predator of culture" for his collection of Maori heads become better known as a "friend of the Maori"?

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (part 1) from 2018-10-29T09:27

Horatio Robley witnessed the most famous battle of the New Zealand Wars, he fathered a child with the daughter of a sworn enemy, his sketching helped end a war, his book helped save the art of Maor...

Honest Murderer: the story of John Bryce from 2018-04-30T13:00

Pākehā settlers in Taranaki knew John Bryce as "Honest John" but Taranaki Māori called him "Bryce Kōhuru" - Bryce the Murderer. In this episode of Black Sheep William Ray investigates the life of t...

NZ Nazi: the story of Roy Courlander from 2018-04-23T11:00

Roy Courlander was a New Zealand soldier who joined Nazi Germany's infamous SS during WW2. Black Sheep investigates why he chose to turn traitor.

Pakeha Maori: the story of Kimble Bent from 2018-04-16T04:00

Kimble Bent was one of a tiny handful of Europeans who switched sides during the New Zealand Wars, who deserted the British army to join Maori "rebels" in Taranaki. RNZ's Black Sheep podcast tells ...

Slash&Burn: the story of Joseph Burns from 2018-04-09T04:00

A cottage burns down, three mutilated bodies are found inside and there are fears the whole city of Auckland could be at risk. In this episode of Black Sheep William Ray investigates the story of t...

Regicide: the story of Chris Lewis from 2018-04-02T04:00

In 1981 Dunedin teenager Chris Lewis tried to shoot Queen Elizabeth. Then, at least according to some, authorities tried to cover it up. In this collaboration with Stuff.co.nz journalist Hamish McN...

Arsonist: the story of Cyrus Haley from 2018-03-26T04:00

It's 1871 and the city of Auckland is being terrorised by a string of major fires. Fears are raised that a gang of anarchist fanatics could be responsible but the real culprit turns out to be a wel...

Pirate Mystery: the story of Charlotte Badger from 2018-03-19T04:00

Charlotte Badger was one of the first European women to live in New Zealand. She was also a pirate... or at least that's the traditional story. In this special episode of Black Sheep, recorded live...

Outlaw: the story of Richard Burgess from 2017-10-16T06:00

In the 1860s Richard Burgess and his outlaw gang roved the West Coast, robbing and murdering dozens of people. Black Sheep investigates his life story and what drove him to a life of crime.

Unjust: the story of James Prendergast from 2017-10-06T11:06

In 1877 Chief Justice James Prendergast ruled the Treaty of Waitangi was "a simple nullity", in part because it was signed by "simple barbarians" and "savages". Those words have seen him condemned ...

Poisoner: the story of Thomas Hall from 2017-10-02T06:00

"The most vile criminal ever to be tried in New Zealand" Thomas Hall's crimes scandalised New Zealand when it was revealed he had attempted to murder his wife in order to steal her family fortune.

Radical: the story of Arthur Desmond from 2017-09-24T06:00

Meet the New Zealand author of a book beloved by Neo-Nazi's, Satanists and White Supremacists. Bizarrely Arthur Desmond started off as a hard-core labour activist and supporter of Maori rights, but...

Abortionist: the story of Annie Aves from 2017-09-15T06:00

Annie Aves was a famous abortionist from the 1930s. She was tried four times but each time the jury failed to reach a verdict.

Nazi Hoax: the story of Syd Ross from 2017-09-11T07:00

Nazi "assassins", mischievous con-artists and power hungry spies... Black Sheep investigates how a pair of hoaxers convinced the government that New Zealand had been infiltrated by Nazi agents.

Epidemic: the story of Robert Logan from 2017-09-04T07:00

Can you imagine if 20 per cent of the people you know suddenly died? How would you feel if the people in charge blocked doctors from helping them? For Samoans in 1918 this wasn't a hypothetical que...

Graverobber: the story of Andreas Reischek from 2016-11-28T09:00

In the 1880s Austrian naturalist and ethnographer Andreas Reischek stole four mummified Maori corpses and secretly smuggled them out of the country so they could be displayed at a museum in Vienna....

War profiteer: the story of Thomas Russell from 2016-11-20T14:30

The worst kind of villain in New Zealand history was... an Auckland property speculator.

Eugenics: the story of a really bad idea from 2016-11-14T09:00

Did you know that after the First World War New Zealand established an official eugenics board? We tend to think of eugenics as being something the Nazis invented but really it was embraced all aro...

Warrior chief: the story of Hongi Hika from 2016-11-07T14:20

Hongi Hika is a man with a difficult legacy. He's one of the greatest figures in New Zealand history, but he's also often held responsible for starting the Musket Wars.

Faith fraud: the story of Arthur Worthington from 2016-10-31T14:15

Arthur Worthington was a con artist who travelled the USA, marrying rich women then abandoning them and stealing all their money. Eventually with private detectives hot on his tail in 1890 he jumpe...

Bad cop: the story of John Cullen from 2016-10-17T14:10

In 1916 John Cullen led a small army of police deep into the misty forests of Te Urewera to arrest the Tuhoe prophet Rua Kenana - his crime? Preaching that his followers shouldn't sign up to fight ...

Broken Blossom: the story of Alice Parkinson from 2016-10-10T14:20

"Four shots, and then another one" - that's how the story of Alice Parkinson begins as the 25 year old waitress guns down her fiancé, Bert West, in the middle of Nelson street in Napier in 1915. Th...