Black Sheep

Black Sheep

RNZ

The shady, controversial & sometimes downright villainous characters of NZ.

Spy Scandal: the story of Bill Sutch

Spy Scandal: the story of Bill Sutch

On 27 September 1974 New Zealanders woke to the news Dr Bill Sutch, a famous economist, historian, and former senior government official had been arrested and accused of spying for Soviet Russia. He was later found not guilty, but over the last 50 years, suspicion has swirled, and new evidence has been revealed. Check our RNZ's award Winning Podcast The Service for more about the history of the SIS in New Zealand

Sep 26, 2024 • 55:10

Bird Bandit: the story of Freddie Angell

Bird Bandit: the story of Freddie Angell

Freddie Angell was New Zealand's most notorious wildlife smuggler. His repeated attempts at stealing and exporting native wildlife in the 1990s, including Kea and Tuatara, made him all but a household name. Black Sheep speaks to documentary-maker Andy MacDonald about his extraordinary story.

Sep 12, 2024 • 43:27

Musket Missionary - the story of Thomas Kendall - Part 2

Musket Missionary - the story of Thomas Kendall - Part 2

Early NZ missionary Thomas Kendall arrived in London in 1820 with the Ngapuhi Rangatira Hongi Hika. He would return to Aotearoa a year later with the first ever written dictionary of Te Reo Maori, a newly won clerical collar ...and about 300 muskets.

Sep 8, 2024 • 51:02

Musket Missionary: the story of Thomas Kendall (part 1)

Musket Missionary: the story of Thomas Kendall (part 1)

Early Missionary Thomas Kendall facilitated the sale of hundreds of muskets to Ngāpuhi Māori, helping to enable the bloodiest wars in New Zealand history. But there's more to Kendall's story. He was instrumental in the transformation of Te Reo Māori into a written language, and became so fascinated by Māori spirituality that he (in his own words) "almost completely turned from a Christian to a Heathen".

Aug 29, 2024 • 43:52

Beastly Truth: the story of George Howe

Beastly Truth: the story of George Howe

In the 1900s a series of lurid headlines were published in the New Zealand Truth about George Howe, a "Beastly Brothel-keeper". But what Truth found most "beastly" about Howe, is that he was Chinese. Black Sheep looks at the case of George Howe, his exploitation of underage sex workers, and the "editorial hate-crimes" of what was once NZ's most influential newspaper.

Aug 22, 2024 • 44:25

Highwayman: the story of Robert Wallath

Highwayman: the story of Robert Wallath

In 1892 a masked figure in a bizarre uniform began a crime spree, robbing people at gunpoint in and around New Plymouth. When he was finally arrested and unmasked, residents were dumbfounded to discovered the perpetrator was mild-mannered Robert Wallath - the teenage son of a local farmer and carpenter.

Aug 15, 2024 • 46:01

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 3)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 3)

"As morning dawned we stood and watched / That devastated scene / Where but a single yesterday / Had flourished Surafeen." In the final episode of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre of December 1918

Aug 8, 2024 • 28:23

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 2)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 2)

"They ​went ​out ​to ​this ​village, ​and ​they ​went ​through ​it ​with ​the ​bayonet.” In the second of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre of December 1918

Aug 1, 2024 • 25:28

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 1)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (part 1)

“There was a time when I was proud of you men of the Anzac Mounted Division. I am proud of you no longer.” In the first of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre.

Jul 25, 2024 • 31:15

Black Sheep Season 8 Trailer

Black Sheep Season 8 Trailer

Black Sheep Season 8 is just around the corner with a whole new cast of controversial, villainous, or simply misunderstood figures from New Zealand history.

Jul 11, 2024 • 2:03

Nellie's Baby: the story of New Zealand's Mental Institutions

Nellie's Baby: the story of New Zealand's Mental Institutions

The last of the so-called ‘lunatic asylums’ closed only 20 years ago. They were founded on ideas of paternalism and social progress and survived on the basis they offered safety. In this special crossover with the Nellie's Baby Podcast, William Ray and Kirsty Johnston look into their origins.

Mar 31, 2024 • 41:09

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 2

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 2

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 early Pākehā settler? RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates.

Jul 6, 2023 • 53:33

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 1

Double Life: the story of Judge Frederick Maning - Part 1

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. So why did so many of his private letters express such violent, racist attitudes towards Māori? RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates.

Jun 29, 2023 • 37:56

Gender Bender: the story of Hjelmar Dannevill

Gender Bender: the story of Hjelmar Dannevill

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's clothing saw her locked up as a German spy during WWI. RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates the mystery of "Dr Dannevill".Content Warning: This podcast includes discussion of suicide and self-harmIn the 1910s, Hjelmar Dannevill wowed Wellington high society with gripping tales of adventure as a me

Jun 22, 2023 • 44:10

Death Ray: the story of Victor Penny

Death Ray: the story of Victor Penny

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. The claims seem absurd... So why were they taken so seriously?

Jun 15, 2023 • 52:22

Scientific Racist: the story of Alfred Newman

Scientific Racist: the story of Alfred Newman

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 not just Māori, but also New Zealand's wider scientific community. So what can Newman's story tell us about the history of scientific racism in Aotearoa?

Jun 8, 2023 • 51:37

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 2

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 2

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 to out the Mackay as homosexual if he didn't resign the mayoralty.

Jun 2, 2023 • 50:12

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 1

Erased: the story of Charles Mackay - Part 1

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 podcast investigates the downfall of Charles Mackay, and how his story is being reevaluated in modern New Zealand.

May 25, 2023 • 40:12

Black Sheep Season 7 Trailer

Black Sheep Season 7 Trailer

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

May 16, 2023 • 3:21

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 2

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 2

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 sensationalist media sentence an innocent man to death?

May 23, 2021 • 45:34

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 1

Killer Conductor: the story of Eric Mareo - Part 1

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 justice done? Or was Mareo an innocent man? RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates.

May 16, 2021 • 35:56

Escape Artist: the story of George Wilder

Escape Artist: the story of George Wilder

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.

May 9, 2021 • 50:24

Slaver: the story of Thomas McGrath

Slaver: the story of Thomas McGrath

In the first week of June 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 slave raid which destroyed a small civilisation.

May 2, 2021 • 50:40

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 2

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 2

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 of Tainui.

Apr 26, 2021 • 58:34

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 1

Governor: the story of Sir George Grey - Part 1

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... What happened?

Apr 18, 2021 • 53:27

Black Sheep Season Six Trailer

Black Sheep Season Six Trailer

Black Sheep returns for a Sixth Season!

Apr 14, 2021 • 1:22

Baby Farmer: the story of Minnie Dean

Baby Farmer: the story of Minnie Dean

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 murdered babies for cash. More recently, attitudes towards Minnie have shifted, but she's still a controversial and complex figure. Black Sheep dives into the story of the baby farmer of Winton.

Aug 30, 2020 • 0:00

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 2)

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 2)

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...

Aug 23, 2020 • 0:00

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 1)

Machine-gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (part 1)

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 Zealand". Black Sheep investigates a true crime story that scandalised New Zealand

Aug 16, 2020 • 0:00

Madam: the story of Flora MacKenzie

Madam: the story of Flora MacKenzie

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 punters alike. In this episode of Black Sheep, we look at the legend of Madam Flora

Aug 9, 2020 • 0:00

Invasive: the story of Stewart Smith

Invasive: the story of Stewart Smith

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 investigate his story.

Aug 1, 2020 • 0:00

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 2)

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 2)

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. For Wakefield and for Māori.

Jul 26, 2020 • 0:00

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 1)

Colonial Mastermind: the story of Edward Gibbon Wakefield (part 1)

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 propaganda and, (not least) his abduction and marriage of a teenage girl. This two part episode of Black Sheep, William Ray investigates Wakefield's life and legacy.

Jul 19, 2020 • 0:00

Raider: the story of Felix von Luckner

Raider: the story of Felix von Luckner

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 lifeboat and led the most embarrassing jailbreak in NZ history. RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates his life story.

Jul 12, 2020 • 0:00

The Story Of Statues

The Story Of Statues

In this special episode of Black Sheep, William Ray looks at the history and controversy of historical statues in New Zealand.

Jul 5, 2020 • 37:09

The Aotearoa History Show!

The Aotearoa History Show!

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 Air Innovation Fund.

Oct 7, 2019 • 0:00

The story of White Supremacy

The story of White Supremacy

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

Mar 25, 2019 • 0:00

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (part 1)

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (part 1)

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 Maori tattooing... But mostly he's famous for his grotesque collection of nearly 40 human heads.

Feb 12, 2019 • 0:00

Death Sentence: the story of NZ's executions

Death Sentence: the story of NZ's executions

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 guests Dame Fiona Kidman, Vincent O'Malley and Mark Derby as they unpick the history of executions in New Zealand.

Feb 10, 2019 • 0:00

Swashbuckler: the story of Bully Hayes

Swashbuckler: the story of Bully Hayes

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.

Dec 17, 2018 • 0:00

Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 2)

Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 2)

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

Dec 9, 2018 • 0:00

Soldier of Fortune: the story of Gustavus von Tempsky (part 1)

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

Dec 2, 2018 • 0:00

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (part 2)

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (part 2)

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

Nov 25, 2018 • 0:00

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (Part 1)

Traitor: the story of Patrick Heenan (Part 1)

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?

Nov 18, 2018 • 0:00

Con-artist: the story of Amy Bock

Con-artist: the story of Amy Bock

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 motivated her lifetime of fraud and scams.

Nov 11, 2018 • 0:00

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (Part 2)

Headhunter: the story of Horatio Robley (Part 2)

The story of Horatio Robley continues... How did a man once dubbed a "predator of culture" for his collection of preserved Māori heads become better known as a "friend of the Māori"?In Part 1 of this story, we heard how Horatio Robley came to New Zealand as a young officer in the British Army and witnessed the devastating British defeat at Gate Pā. In Part 2, we hear how the Tauranga War ended, and how Robley became famous as a collector of Mokomokai, preserved Māori heads.A few months after Gat

Nov 4, 2018 • 34:56

Honest Murderer: the story of John Bryce

Honest Murderer: the story of John Bryce

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 the infamous Native Affairs Minister.

Apr 30, 2018 • 0:00

NZ Nazi: the story of Roy Courlander

NZ Nazi: the story of Roy Courlander

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.

Apr 22, 2018 • 0:00

Pakeha Maori: the story of Kimble Bent

Pakeha Maori: the story of Kimble Bent

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 the story of his life.

Apr 15, 2018 • 0:00

Slash & Burn: the story of Joseph Burns

Slash & Burn: the story of Joseph Burns

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 the first European to be judicially executed in New Zealand history.

Apr 8, 2018 • 0:00

Regicide: the story of Chris Lewis

Regicide: the story of Chris Lewis

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 McNeilly RNZ's Black Sheep podcast looks into Chris Lewis's bizarre life story.

Apr 1, 2018 • 0:00

Arsonist: the story of Cyrus Haley

Arsonist: the story of Cyrus Haley

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 well known businessman with an axe to grind against Auckland high society.

Mar 25, 2018 • 0:00

Pirate Mystery: the story of Charlotte Badger

Pirate Mystery: the story of Charlotte Badger

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 at Charlotte's Kitchen restaurant in Paihia, William Ray and his historian guests Jennifer Ashton and Kate Martin investigate Charlotte's pirate mystery.

Mar 18, 2018 • 0:00

Outlaw: the story of Richard Burgess

Outlaw: the story of Richard Burgess

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.

Oct 15, 2017 • 0:00

Unjust: the story of James Prendergast

Unjust: the story of James Prendergast

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 as an arch-villain of NZ history, but was he really?

Oct 8, 2017 • 26:50

Poisoner: the story of Thomas Hall

Poisoner: the story of Thomas Hall

"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.

Oct 1, 2017 • 0:00

Radical: the story of Arthur Desmond

Radical: the story of Arthur Desmond

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 he then went "so far to the left that [he] dropped off the edge."

Sep 23, 2017 • 0:00

Abortionist: the story of Annie Aves

Abortionist: the story of Annie Aves

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

Sep 14, 2017 • 0:00

Nazi Hoax: the story of Syd Ross

Nazi Hoax: the story of Syd Ross

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.

Sep 10, 2017 • 25:41

Epidemic: the story of Robert Logan

Epidemic: the story of Robert Logan

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 question.

Sep 3, 2017 • 0:00

Grave Robber: the story of Andreas Reischek

Grave Robber: the story of Andreas Reischek

In the 1880s Austrian naturalist and ethnographer Andreas Reischek stole four mummified Māori corpses and smuggled them out of the country so they could be displayed at a museum in Vienna. He also shot hundreds of native New Zealand birds to preserve them "for science".

Nov 27, 2016 • 20:40

War profiteer: the story of Thomas Russell

War profiteer: the story of Thomas Russell

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

Nov 20, 2016 • 0:00

Eugenics: the story of a really bad idea

Eugenics: the story of a really bad idea

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 around the world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was particularly popular among the intellectual classes. Some of our most progressive institution, the National Council of Women, Federated Farmers and the Plunket Society all either promoted some form of eugenics or had members which did. In this

Nov 13, 2016 • 0:00

Warrior chief: the story of Hongi Hika

Warrior chief: the story of Hongi Hika

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.

Nov 7, 2016 • 0:00

Faith fraud: the story of Arthur Worthington

Faith fraud: the story of Arthur Worthington

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 jumped on a ship bound for Christchurch where he set up his own religion and his own church.

Oct 31, 2016 • 0:00

Bad cop: the story of John Cullen

Bad cop: the story of John Cullen

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 in the First World War. But the raid is a complete disaster. Cullen oversees the shooting of two men in cold blood and the whole case against Rua unravels due to a huge legal blunder. Historian Mark Derby explains how the son of an Irish turnip farmer rose to the very top of the New Zealand police

Oct 17, 2016 • 0:00

Broken Blossom: the story of Alice Parkinson

Broken Blossom: the story of Alice Parkinson

"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. The first four shots hit Bert in the face, head, neck and chest. The final shot is fired point blank into Alice's own temple. She had planned it this way, a murder/suicide to get vengeance on the man who promised to marry her when she got pregnant and then deserted her when that child was stillborn.

Oct 10, 2016 • 0:00

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