Explore every episode of the podcast RNZ100: A Century of Stories
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wealth and Work | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:44:16 | |
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 Aotearoaâs deep-rooted work ethic. It explores the ingenuity, tenacity, and occasional absurdities that have shaped New Zealandâs working life over the past century. Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at NgÄ 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 whoâve 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 hasnât just been about money, but about purpose, pride, and pushing through. Guests:
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| Crisis and Conflict | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:45:20 | |
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 NgÄ 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:
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| Art and Culture | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:44:56 | |
This episode explores the ways culture, creativity, and storytelling have built a uniquely New Zealand identity. From the revival of traditional MÄori 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 NgÄ Taonga Sound & Vision. Weâve embraced new forms, clashed over controversial works, and redefined what art means in Aotearoa. Along the way, weâve learned that true national pride comes from telling our own diverse, messy, and brilliant stories. Guests:
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| Animals and Nature | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:45:07 | |
New Zealandâs 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 weâve found ingenuity, solidarity, and hope. Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at NgÄ Taonga Sound & Vision. This episode traces our deep connection with the environment, and highlights the animals that have captured the nationâs 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:
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| Health and Wellbeing | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:45:21 | |
This episode explores how New Zealandâs 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 NgÄ 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 oâclock pub closures to sipping wine with brunch, and from smoky offices to smoke-free taxis. Guests:
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| Rebellion and Innovation | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:45:19 | |
A collection of stories rooted in ingenuity and resistance: NgÄ Tamatoaâs fight for te reo in schools, Dame Whina Cooperâs historic land march and Eva Rickardâs stand in Raglan, alongside the fight for Pasifika rights, queer rights and the religious rebellion of theologian Lloyd Geering. These are trailblazers who took on church, state, and social norms, proving that New Zealandâs progress has often come from a mix of practical problem-solving and powerful protest. Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at NgÄ Taonga Sound & Vision Guests:
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| Introducing: RNZ100: A Century of Stories | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:02:14 | |
RNZ100: A Century of Stories is a six-part podcast celebrating 100 years of broadcasting in Aotearoa New Zealand. Hosted by Mike McRoberts, it showcases the connection RNZ has brought to New Zealanders with each episode shaped by a central theme. Drawing from RNZâs rich audio archive from the last 100 years, the series brings to life the voices of New Zealanders who lived through the countryâs most defining (and surprising) moments. Many of the clips featured havenât been heard since they were first broadcast decades ago! From the frontline of protest, to the joys of free school milk, from national tragedies to cultural triumphs, this series threads together archival clips, conversations, and historical reflection to tell a story of who we are, how weâve changed, and what connects us across the decades. Host: Mike McRoberts (NgÄti Kahungunu) | |||