From the desperate struggle for employment during the Great Depression to the rise of iconic exports like wool, kiwifruit, and dairy, this episode dives into Aotearoa’s deep-rooted work ethic. It explores the ingenuity, tenacity, and occasional absurdities that have shaped New Zealand’s working life over the past century.Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.There are tales of sharemilkers and shearing gangs, Depression-era riots and wage protests, black-market massage parlours, and the birth of EFTPOS.Along the way, we hear from those who’ve worked with their hands, hacked the system, and even lost fingers for a payout. From coal dust to decimal currency debates, this episode traces the highs and lows of earning a living in Aotearoa, showing how work hasn’t just been about money, but about purpose, pride, and pushing through.Guests:Geoff RobinsonVeteran broadcaster and co-host of RNZ’s Morning Report for nearly 40 years, known as the voice of New Zealand’s morning news.Gyles BeckfordRNZ’s Business Editor, providing insightful analysis on economic trends and financial news with clarity and depth.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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44:16
Crisis and Conflict
From the battlefields of Crete to the panic of Marmageddon, this episode looks at how New Zealanders have faced some of their darkest, proudest, and oddest moments. We hear voices from VJ Day celebrations, soldiers dreaming of roast lamb from thousands of miles away, and grieving through disasters like Tangiwai, Wahine, and Erebus. Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.There are moments of national outrage, moral panics, and protest batons. Through tragedy and triumph, protest and panic, Kiwis have met the moment with resilience, resourcefulness, and the occasional ridiculous headline. These stories reveal not just how Aotearoa has changed, but the values we keep coming back to; fairness, connection, and a good feed.Guests:Nigel RobertsProfessor of Political Science from Victoria Universityknown for helping shape New Zealand’s transition to MMP and for documenting history as the photographer of the Erebus crash site.Kim HillAward-winning broadcaster renowned for her incisive interviews and 38-year tenure at RNZ, including as host of Saturday Morning.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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Art and Culture
This episode explores the ways culture, creativity, and storytelling have built a uniquely New Zealand identity. From the revival of traditional Māori music to quirky early poetry, National Film Unit travelogues to Shortland Street and the Lord of the Rings, creativity has been our constant.
Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.We’ve embraced new forms, clashed over controversial works, and redefined what art means in Aotearoa. Along the way, we’ve learned that true national pride comes from telling our own diverse, messy, and brilliant stories.Guests:Oscar KightleyWriter, actor, and director, widely recognised for bringing Pasifika voices to the forefront of New Zealand storytelling through Sione’s Wedding and The Naked Samoans.John CampbellVeteran journalist and broadcaster, acclaimed for his compassionate storytelling and in-depth reporting across radio and television, including his leadership on Campbell Live.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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44:56
Animals and Nature
New Zealand’s landscapes are beautiful but also volatile. Earthquakes have shattered our towns, volcanoes have darkened our skies, and mountain avalanches have taken lives. Natural disasters have tested our resilience and reshaped our communities, yet in every crisis we’ve found ingenuity, solidarity, and hope.Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.This episode traces our deep connection with the environment, and highlights the animals that have captured the nation’s heart. From our battles with pests like possums to the headline making Shrek the sheep. These stories remind us how closely we live alongside nature and how fiercely we fight to protect it.Guests:Maggie BarryVeteran broadcaster and former Minister of Conservation, renowned for her work on Maggie’s Garden Show and for championing New Zealand’s natural heritage both in media and politics.Alison BallanceZoologist, award-winning author, and science communicator, celebrated for her natural history documentaries and as the long-time producer of RNZ’s Our Changing World.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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Health and Wellbeing
This episode explores how New Zealand’s approach to health and wellbeing has transformed over the past century, from state-run health camps and free school milk to jazzercise and the revolutionary invention of brunch. Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Unpacking shifting attitudes toward public health, nutrition, fitness, and alcohol, tracing a journey from nourishing underfed children to grappling with rising obesity rates, from 6 o’clock pub closures to sipping wine with brunch, and from smoky offices to smoke-free taxis.Along the way, it celebrates iconic moments of Kiwi grit and sporting spirit, from record breaking Jack Lovelock to teenage swimmer Meda McKenzie’s epic channel crossing, reminding us that despite our indulgences, New Zealanders have always had a knack for pushing boundaries and giving things a bloody good go.Guests:Mary WilsonDistinguished journalist and former long-time host of RNZ’s Checkpoint, celebrated for her sharp interviewing skills and commitment to public-interest journalism.Guyon EspinerInvestigative journalist with a 30-year career across print, television, and radio, including 14 years covering politics from the press gallery in Wellington.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Exploring 100 years of Aotearoa's history through RNZ’s audio archive. Hosted by Mike McRoberts, it explores how we’ve changed, stayed the same, and what it means to be a New Zealander.
New Zealand