Roadside Stories
By Manatū Taonga - Ministry for Culture and Heritage (NZ)
To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
Podcast Description
Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides that follow major road trips in New Zealand. The stories cover the places you'll pass along the way - their people, their history, their cultural and natural significance. These stories are also available as an iPhone app and on YouTube - see http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside for more information.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Warbirds, Wallis and Wānaka | A spectacular biennial airshow, Warbirds over Wānaka showcases Second World War fighter aircraft and other unusual planes in the gorgeous surrounds of Wānaka. The show is the brainchild of aviator Tim Wallis, who pioneered live deer capture from helicopters in the 1960s and was dubbed 'Lord of the Choppers'. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 149). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
A long road over Haast Pass | Once a walking track used by Māori heading for West Coast reserves of pounamu (greenstone), Haast Pass was first crossed by Europeans during the 1860s gold rushes. Construction of a proper road began in the 1920s and 1930s depression, with unemployed workers wielding picks and shovels – but the road wasn't completed until the early 1960s. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Franz Josef and Fox glaciers | The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers descend to unusually low altitudes, reaching into rainforest near the sea. In Māori tradition, Franz Josef is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukarere – the tears of Hine Hukarere, a young woman whose lover fell to his death there. Fox Glacier is the resting place of her lover, Tuawe. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T6589). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Ōkarito, home of the kōtuku | New Zealand's largest unmodified wetland, Ōkarito Lagoon is home to a breeding colony of kōtuku (white herons). Long prized by Māori for their beauty and their white feathers, these graceful birds have been threatened by vandals, introduced predators and storms. Today their colony is protected. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 147839). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Swampy landing at Harihari | Australian aviator Guy Menzies surprised Harihari locals when he completed the first solo trans-Tasman flight in 1931 by landing – unintentionally – in a flax swamp. Today Menzies' watery arrival spot is marked by a plaque. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 32347). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Gold fever in Hokitika | After gold was discovered in 1864 a lively town sprang up at Hokitika. Within a few months it had 5,000 residents and 72 hotels. However, its port was dangerous, and many ships met their end on the bar at the river mouth. When the gold rush finished, Hokitika dwindled – though since 1990 its Wildfoods Festival has been popular with daring eaters. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Precious pounamu | Pounamu – greenstone or jade – was prized by Māori, and gave its name to the South Island (Te Wai Pounamu). Long associated with the Ngāi Tahu tribe, pounamu was especially common in the bed of the Arahura River. This precious stone is said to have been created by the taniwha Poutini. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-02206-s02-pm). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
The dangers of coal | West Coast coal has been mined since the 1860s, and coal was a vital source of energy in the 19th century. But coal mining is back-breaking work that can also be dangerous – 65 men died in the 1896 Brunner mine explosion, New Zealand's worst industrial disaster. In 2010, 29 workers died after an explosion at the Pike River coal mine. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number CDR742, Spectrum 865). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks | The famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki resemble a layered stack of pancakes, and caves beneath them open into blowholes which emit spectacular bursts of spray. The rocks are made of limestone – a sedimentary rock that is soluble in rainwater and often forms dramatic karst landscapes of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Conflict at Addisons Flat | Many settlers on the West Coast were Irish, and conflict sometimes erupted between Irish Catholics and Protestants. The worst confrontation was at the gold-rush tent town of Addisons Flat, where Protestants and Catholics fought in the streets in 1868. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Murchison and Īnangahua quakes | Dramatic landslides, rock falls and waterfalls are the legacy of the two massive earthquakes that hit the Buller region in the 20th century. Lives were lost at Murchison in 1929, and again at Īnangahua in 1968. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-01135-04-s01-s02-pm). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Brunner on the Buller | In late 1846, with his Māori guides Kehu and Pikewate, surveyor Thomas Brunner set off on an epic journey down the Buller River and to the West Coast. The group battled hunger, illness, injury and terrible weather, and it was 18 months before Brunner encountered another European. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-02422-su01-s02-pm). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
Matakohe kauri | Northland was once covered in magnificent kauri forests – but almost all were logged after Europeans arrived in New Zealand. Felling the giant trees was dangerous work, and dams were built so the logs could be floated down rivers. Today a museum at Matakohe showcases the history of kauri forests and their exploitation. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 535). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
14 |
Dargaville – from kauri gum to kūmara | In the late 19th century Auckland's main export was kauri gum. One rich source of the gum was the swampy land around Dargaville where kauri forests had been cleared. Gum-digging was tough work, often done by Dalmatian immigrants and by Māori. Today the Dargaville area is known for growing kūmara (sweet potato). Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 27604). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
15 |
Waipoua Forest, home of giant trees | Waipoua Forest is the site of majestic giant kauri, including the towering 1,500-year-old Tāne Mahuta. Waipoua is one of New Zealand's few remnants of kauri forest – much of which was logged for timber in the 19th and 20th centuries. Archival audio: Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Weekly Review 333. National Film Unit, 1948. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
16 |
Opononi, home of Opo | In 1955–56 a friendly dolphin known as Opo became a celebrity, drawing thousands of visitors to the sleepy town of Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour. Enjoying human company, Opo performed tricks and let children ride on her back. Archival audio: Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Pictorial Parade 47. National Film Unit, 1956. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
17 |
Kupe in the Hokianga | Hokianga Harbour was the departure point of legendary Māori navigator Kupe when he returned to his homeland of Hawaiki. Kupe is said to have left behind two taniwha (water spirits), which guided the safe landing of later Polynesian arrivals. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
18 |
Missionaries and muskets at Kerikeri | In the 1820s the Kerikeri mission station was under the protection of Hongi Hika and the Ngāpuhi tribe. Hongi had encouraged the establishment of the mission – largely because he wanted access to muskets, which gave Ngāpuhi a great military advantage over other tribes. Today the 1822 mission house is New Zealand's oldest building. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T906). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
19 |
Waitangi, home of the treaty | The Treaty of Waitangi, considered to be New Zealand's founding document, was signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. However, within five years Māori were at war with the British over land loss and treaty infringements. Since the 1970s the Waitangi Tribunal has investigated treaty breaches. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number D4129a sa-d-04129-s01-pm). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
20 |
Big-game fishing in the Bay of Islands | Northland was once covered in magnificent kauri forests – but almost all were logged after Europeans arrived in New Zealand. Felling the giant trees was dangerous work, and dams were built so the logs could be floated down rivers. Today a museum at Matakohe showcases the history of kauri forests and their exploitation. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 535). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
21 |
Russell, former 'hellhole of the Pacific' | Waipoua Forest is the site of majestic giant kauri, including the towering 1,500-year-old Tāne Mahuta. Waipoua is one of New Zealand's few remnants of kauri forest – much of which was logged for timber in the 19th and 20th centuries. Archival audio: Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Weekly Review 333. National Film Unit, 1948. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
22 |
Ruapekapeka, site of Kawiti's pā | In 1955–56 a friendly dolphin known as Opo became a celebrity, drawing thousands of visitors to the sleepy town of Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour. Enjoying human company, Opo performed tricks and let children ride on her back. Archival audio: Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Pictorial Parade 47. National Film Unit, 1956. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
23 |
Kawakawa's colourful loos | Hokianga Harbour was the departure point of legendary Māori navigator Kupe when he returned to his homeland of Hawaiki. Kupe is said to have left behind two taniwha (water spirits), which guided the safe landing of later Polynesian arrivals. | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
24 |
Underwater wonders of the Poor Knights | In the 1820s the Kerikeri mission station was under the protection of Hongi Hika and the Ngāpuhi tribe. Hongi had encouraged the establishment of the mission – largely because he wanted access to muskets, which gave Ngāpuhi a great military advantage over other tribes. Today the 1822 mission house is New Zealand's oldest building. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T906). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
25 |
Waipū, a Scottish settlement | The small Northland town of Kawakawa is home to an unusual tourist attraction – vibrant and colourful public toilets designed by the Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Hundertwasser, whose distinctive work featured curves, spirals and bright colours, lived outside Kawakawa from the 1970s until his death. Archival audio: Chris Maclean | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
26 |
Chowing down on the Matakana coast | "Boutique beers, cheeses, chocolate, olive oils and wines are all on offer on the Matakana coast, north of Auckland. Matakana's farmers' market is popular with visitors, and Pacific oysters are cultivated in local harbours. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 21-08027-04-o). Markets, http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/markets" | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
27 |
Peacocks and zebras on Kawau Island | Once mined for its copper, Kawau Island was owned by Governor George Grey from the 1860s. A collector of exotic plants and animals, Grey imported deer, kangaroos, peacocks, zebras, monkeys and other species to the island. Today his Mansion House is part of a historic reserve. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 817). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
28 |
Pūhoi, up the boohai | Founded by immigrants from Bohemia in Europe, the settlement of Pūhoi was originally extremely isolated – leading to the phrase 'up the boohai' (a corruption of the town's name), meaning 'in the back of beyond'. Today the historic town is popular with visitors, and is known for its cheese production. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 192). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
29 |
Creating a sanctuary – Tiritiri Matangi | Each year more than 30,000 people visit Tiritiri Matangi, an island sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf. Previously farmed, Tiritiri Matangi has been replanted with almost 300,000 native trees, and is home to rare birds including takahē, stitchbirds and kōkako. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T7700). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
30 |
Rangitoto, Auckland's youngest volcano | The landscape of New Zealand's largest city is dotted with 48 volcanoes. The oldest volcano last erupted some 150,000 years ago – the youngest, Rangitoto Island, is just 600 years old. A symmetrical volcanic cone, it has been colonised by red-flowering pōhutukawa forest. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 399). | 21 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
31 |
Tales of the Auckland waterfront | Auckland's busy waterfront has seen dramatic political and sporting conflict over the years, including the divisive 1951 waterfront labour dispute, the 1985 bombing of Greenpeace protest ship the Rainbow Warrior, and New Zealand's successful defence of the America's Cup sailing trophy in 1999-2000. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T81). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
32 |
Auckland's 'coat-hanger' bridge | The idea of a bridge across Auckland's Waitematā Harbour was first mooted in the 1860s - but almost a century passed before the Auckland Harbour Bridge opened in 1959. The city's distinctive 'coat hanger' bridge was expanded in the late 1960s, with two extra lanes clipped onto each side. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
33 |
Reclaiming Bastion Point | After European settlement of Auckland, the lands of the Ngāti Whātua tribe were gradually whittled away, and the harbourside area of Bastion Point was taken by the Crown for defence purposes. A 1977 government plan to develop expensive housing on Bastion Point prompted a 506-day occupation by the tribe and supporters. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number MPT 1914). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
34 |
Maungakiekie - One Tree Hill | The second-largest of the 46 volcanoes that dot the Auckland landscape, Maungakiekie was once the site of a massive pā (fortified village), home to several thousand people. By the time of European settlement the pā had been abandoned, and a single tōtara tree grew on the summit. This was later replaced by a single Monterey pine, and Maungakiekie became known as One Tree Hill. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
35 |
Eden Park - from swamp to sports ground | Originally a swamp, Auckland's Eden Park has been a sports ground since the late 19th century. Today New Zealand's largest sports stadium, it has been the site of some memorable sporting victories - and losses. The chaotic third test of the protest-ridden 1981 Springbok rugby tour was played there, as was New Zealand's victorious final in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
36 |
Bombay to Bombay | Famed as a dividing line between Auckland and the rest of the country, the Bombay hills and nearby Pukekohe became home to Indian immigrants who worked in local market gardens from the early 20th century. In the 1920s the area's European farmers formed the White New Zealand League, which became a national anti-Asian movement. Discrimination against Indians continued until the 1950s. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
37 |
Mercer's unusual memorial | A memorial at Mercer remembers two wars - one far away and one close to home. The memorial to First World War soldiers is built on top of the gun turret of the Pioneer, a naval vessel used by British forces in their 1860s war against Waikato Māori. The Pioneer transported troops and shelled pā (Māori fortified settlements) on the Waikato River. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
38 |
Rangiriri pā | The remarkable earthworks at Rangiriri pā (Māori fortified settlement) formed a defensive line more than a kilometre long. In 1863 Rangiriri was stormed by Imperial forces during the Waikato war. Although the British eventually took the pā, they were repelled eight times, and suffered 130 casualites. The remains of the earthworks are still visible today. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
39 |
Coal and clay from Huntly | The coal seams around Huntly have been mined since the 1870s, and today provide about 40% of New Zealand's coal, feeding the massive Huntly power station and the Glenbrook steel mill. Local clay is the source of Huntly's distinctive bricks, as well as of iconic Crown Lynn pottery. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number MUCDR85). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
40 |
Tūrangawaewae - a place to stand | Tūrangawaewae marae at Ngāruawāhia is the seat of the Māori King movement, which developed in the 1850s to unify Māori and protect their land. Tūrangawaewae - literally 'a place to stand' - was built in the 1920s under the direction of Te Puea Hērangi, granddaughter of the second Māori king. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TX 3348). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
41 |
Rocky horror in Hamilton | A statue in Hamilton pays tribute to former resident Richard O'Brien, creator of the kitschy, gender-bending 1970s musical The rocky horror show. The statue depicts Riff Raff, the character played by O'Brien in the movie version, which became a cult hit. A 1986 New Zealand production of the musical famously featured former prime minister Robert Muldoon as the narrator. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 45/1383). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
42 |
Hamilton's rugby wars | In 1956 Hamilton's Rugby Park was the site of the only provincial win against the touring South African Springbok rugby team. When the Springboks returned 25 years later, local rugby fans hoped for a repeat victory - but the victory belonged to the anti-apartheid protest movement, which invaded the field and forced the cancellation of the game, leading to conflict between protesters and sports fans in the streets. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-00944-03-s02-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
43 |
The equine stars of Cambridge | The thoroughbred studs around Cambridge have produced many champion horses, which are celebrated in a series of mosaics in the town's pavements. One of the best-known is the legendary stud horse Sir Tristram, who sired 45 prizewinners, including Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number SW88106). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
44 |
Lake Karapiro | Today a world-class rowing venue, Lake Karapiro was created in 1947 when the Karapiro hydroelectric dam was completed on the Waikato River. The lake flooded the site of an 1830 battle between two Māori tribes, and of the Horahora power station - the first hydroelectric station on the river. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
45 |
Maungatautari, volcanic sanctuary | Maungatautari is an ancient volcano which dominates the central Waikato basin. It is the ancestral home of the Ngāti Raukawa tribe and is widely referred to in their songs and proverbs. Since 2002 the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust has worked to restore the forest on Maungatautari mountain, and reintroduce long-lost bird species such as kiwi, kākā, takahē and hihi (stitchbird). Sound credit: Īnia Te Wīata, Waiata Maori, compact disc, Kiwi Pacific Records International, www.kiwipacific.com, Kiwi CD SLC-225. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
46 |
Tīrau, corrugated-iron capital | A giant dog and sheep tower over the main street of Tīrau, just two of a series of sculptures and buildings made from corrugated iron - a common building material in New Zealand. The quirky sculptures were erected as part of an effort to revitalise the town from the late 1980s. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
47 |
Luxury spa at Rotorua | In the 19th century the mineral waters of thermal springs were thought to cure an array of ailments. The government developed a luxurious bathhouse at Rotorua, hoping to attract international visitors by offering spa treatments alongside the area's Māori culture and geothermal wonders. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number CDR624). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
48 |
Whakarewarewa - thermal and cultural attractions | The Māori village of Whakarewarewa, with its geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools, became a tourist attraction in the late 19th century. Whakarewarewa was known for its female guides - Guide Maggie (Mākereti Papakura) later lived in the UK and studied anthropology at Oxford, and Guide Rangi (Rangitīaria Dennan) guided both the young Queen Elizabeth and US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-2118-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
49 |
Island romance in Lake Rotorua | Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua is the setting for the well-known Māori love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, who kept their relationship a secret because of family disapproval. The pair were united on the island after Hinemoa's epic swim across the lake, guided by the sound of her lover's flute music. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
50 |
The eruption of Mt Tarawera | The sky was lit by great flashes of flame...' The 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera obliterated the spectacular Pink and White Terraces, one of the world's scenic wonders, and buried a number of villages. The disaster was heralded by an apparition of a ghostly canoe on Lake Tarawera. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0224-su02-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
51 |
The big cheese of Lichfield | The southern hemisphere's biggest cheese factory is in the small Waikato town of Lichfield. Owned by the Fonterra dairy co-operative - New Zealand's largest company, responsible for a third of the world's international dairy trade - the Lichfield factory is the much larger descendant of the many small dairy factories that once dotted the New Zealand countryside. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
52 |
Tokoroa, timber town | New Zealanders struggled to make paper from rags, flax and grass in the 19th century, but were more successful later using wood waste from plantation forests. From the 1940s Tokoroa town was developed in a forestry area to house workers constructing - and then operating - the nearby Kinleith pulp and paper mill. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-2338-su05-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
53 |
Hatupatu's Rock | A distinctive rock by the side of State Highway One is significant to Māori for its role in the story of Hatupatu. He was taken prisoner by the fearsome bird-woman Kurangaituku, but managed to escape from her lair. Kurangaituku gave chase, but the rock magically opened to shelter Hatupatu. Some say that the bird-woman's claw marks are still visible on the rock. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
54 |
Geothermal power at Wairākei | When completed in 1963, Wairākei was one of just two geothermal power stations in the world. However, it has adversely affected the surrounding thermal area - tourist attractions such as the famous Wairākei geyser and Champagne Pool have come to a halt, and the land is sinking. A nearby prawn farm takes advantage of heat from the power station's waste water. Archival audio: Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, http://www.archives.govt.nz/ People of the Waikato. National Film Unit, 1956. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
55 |
The rushing waters of Huka Falls | At Huka Falls, up to 220,000 litres of water rush through a narrow gorge on the Waikato River each second. Just a handful of thrill-seeking kayakers have navigated the foaming turquoise waters of the falls, which were also the site of a 1989 murder investigation. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number C89020-7D). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
56 |
Volcanic Lake Taupō | Lake Taupō fills a caldera (volcanic depression) formed by massive eruptions. The first eruption, about 26,000 years ago, covered the central North Island with pumice and ash; the last, about 1,800 years ago, was so dramatic that its effects were noted in China and Rome. In Māori tradition the lake is home to a taniwha (supernatural being) called Horomatangi. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-97112-26-01-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
57 |
The Finns of Te Awamutu | Musicians Neil and Tim Finn are Te Awamutu's most famous sons. Tim's band Split Enz - a theatrically costumed arthouse ensemble - morphed into a successful pop group after 18-year-old Neil joined in the late 1970s. The brothers were later both part of the internationally successful Crowded House. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 05/142/01). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
58 |
Ōrākau, famed battle site | Ōrākau, near Kihikihi, was the site of a Māori fighting pā (fortification) and a decisive 1864 battle between Māori and British troops. Although the Māori defenders, led by chief Rewi Maniapoto, lost the battle, they are remembered for their courage and their refusal to surrender. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
59 |
Ōtorohanga, the kiwi town | The kiwi - a flightless, fast-running bird with many mammal-like features - is New Zealand's national bird, and New Zealanders are often known as Kiwis. Kiwi are prominent in Ōtorohanga, with three species on display at the kiwi house, and 'kiwiana' icons decorating the town. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
60 |
The underground glories of Waitomo | The limestone Waitomo Caves attract over 400,000 visitors a year to their spectacular glow-worm grotto and caverns. The cave system was first explored in 1887, and from 1905 it was managed by the New Zealand government's Tourist Department. Today black-water rafting is popular with more adventurous visitors. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
61 |
Te Kūiti, shearing capital | A towering statue of a shearer presides over Te Kūiti, which bills itself as the world's shearing capital. The town hosts a yearly carnival, including a 'running of the sheep' down the main street, and a shearing competition where champion shearers - skilled athletes who can process more than 700 animals a day - are put through their paces. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0301-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
62 |
Mōkau, whitebait capital | The Mōkau River is famed as a source of whitebait - the juvenile forms of native freshwater fish, often made into delicious fritters. In the 1830s it was the site of a trick by the migrating Ngāti Toa tribe, who lit many fires and dressed their women as chiefs to make their party appear larger and scare off pursuers. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number CDR931). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
63 |
The wars of Waitara | The small Taranaki town of Waitara has been the site of many battles, including major conflict between Waikato war parties and the local Te Āti Awa people. In 1860 a dispute over land ownership at Waitara led to the first Taranaki war between Māori and the government. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-0075-01-s1-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
64 |
Len Lye - composing motion | Innovative New Zealand artist Len Lye has become better-known since his death in 1980. Technological advances have allowed more of the graceful and lively kinetic sculptures Lye designed to be built, including two public sculptures - the Wind Wand in New Plymouth and the Water Whirler in Wellington. Lye's collected works are housed at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TXCDR1145 Tr 1). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
65 |
Sugar Loaf Islands, an ancient volcano | The Sugar Loaf Islands and Paritutū are the remnants of an enormous volcano - the oldest in Taranaki. British explorer James Cook named the islands, which are the source of the mineral taranakite. Since 1991 they have been part of a protected marine park. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
66 |
Iconic Mt Taranaki | At the centre of Taranaki is the dramatic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki, named Mt Egmont in 1770 by British explorer James Cook. The mountain's lava flows and volcanic debris are the source of Taranaki's rich soils and dairy-farming wealth, and its distinctive snowy cone has featured in advertising, murals, military badges and assorted logos. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number CD2491). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
67 |
A Stratford war hero | Stone war-memorial gates in Stratford commemorate Lieutenant Colonel William George Malone, a local farmer and lawyer who commanded the Wellington Infantry Regiment at Gallipoli, Turkey, in the First World War. Although the Gallipoli campaign was a failure overall, Malone's troops had some successes. However, Malone was killed by friendly fire shortly after his men seized Chunuk Bair. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number C293). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
68 |
Chew Chong, Taranaki entrepreneur | For more than a century dairy farming has been the basis of Taranaki's economy. One of New Zealand's first dairy factories was opened near Eltham in 1887 by Chinese entrepreneur Chew Chong, who had been exporting edible fungus to China. Despite anti-Chinese prejudice, Chong was a successful businessman who began an export trade in butter. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
69 |
Surf Highway 45 | Dubbed Surf Highway 45, the coastal road between Hāwera and New Plymouth is famed for its surf breaks, which include Stent Road, Spot X and the Kūmara Patch. Taranaki locals have ridden the waves since the 1950s, and some became international champions. The region has also produced a number of surfboard designers. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
70 |
Kings of Hāwera | Author Ronald Hugh Morrieson famously once commented that he hoped he wouldn't be discovered after his death - but, sadly, that was exactly what happened. Never popular in his home town of Hāwera - which was recognisably skewered in his novels - Morrieson gained a strong following after his death in 1972. Hāwera is also home to Kevin Wasley, a dedicated Elvis Presley fan who runs a museum celebrating 'The King' - and sometimes dresses as his hero. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
71 |
Pātea Māori Club | The 1982 closure of the Pātea freezing works could have spelled the death of the town. But salvation came from an unlikely source - the lively song 'Poi e', by Dalvanius Prime and Ngoi Pēwhairangi, became a 1984 hit single for the local Pātea Māori Club. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
72 |
A world record at Cooks Gardens | Cooks Gardens in Whanganui made international headlines in January 1962, when New Zealand athlete Peter Snell ran a mile in 3 minutes and 54.4 seconds, setting a new world record. A protégé of the running coach Arthur Lydiard, Snell won gold for New Zealand at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. He is commemorated at Cooks Gardens by a statue gazing towards the finish line. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0130-su01-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
73 |
Whanganui River | For the Māori tribes of the Whanganui River, the river was vitally important for transport, food and spiritual wellbeing. Māori caught eels by building ingenious eel weirs in the river - but these structures were removed by European settlers to allow access for steamboats. Boat trips up the river became popular with tourists in the late 19th century. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR5112). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
74 |
Incorrig-a-bull Bulls | The small town of Bulls is known for its punning signs, which proclaim the medical centre to be 'cure-a-bull' and the museum 'memor-a-bull'. Bulls is named after James Bull, who built an inn at nearby Scotts Ferry on the Rangitīkei River estuary. He later set up a store and timber mill around which the town of Bulls grew. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-03518-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
75 |
Foxton and flax | The sleepy town of Foxton was once home to a thriving flax-milling industry. Native flax was a vital source of durable fibre for Māori, who made it into baskets, fishing nets and clothing. An export trade began from the 1820s, and a major industry developed, with large mills around Foxton. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T428). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
76 |
Lake Papaitonga | Lake Papaitonga's peaceful bush-clad setting belies its bloody past. After the local Muaūpoko tribe attacked a group including Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, they became a target for reprisal raids by Ngāti Toa. Despite retreating to artificial islands they had built in Lakes Papaitonga and Horowhenua, large numbers of Muaūpoko were killed, and survivors fled to the nearby Tararua Range. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
77 |
Rangiātea church, Ōtaki | In 1995 New Zealand was shocked by the arson attack that destroyed Ōtaki's beautiful Rangiātea church. Ornately decorated with Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns and tukutuku panelling, the church - built in the 1840s - symbolised Māori and European desires to live peacefully. A replica of the destroyed building was completed in 2003. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-tx-3351-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
78 |
Kapiti Island - warriors, whales and wildlife | Once a base for the famous chief Te Rauparaha and the Ngāti Toa tribe, with up to 3,000 occupants, Kapiti Island was the site of six whaling stations in the 1830s. It later became a wildlife sanctuary, where the eradication of pests has allowed kiwi, takahē, kōkako and other rare birds to flourish. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
79 |
Paekākāriki | The pretty seaside town of Paekākāriki was a base for US troops during the Second World War. At one point more than 20,000 marines were stationed there - considerably more than the town's population. Rugby fans appreciate Paekākāriki as the home town of All Black fullback Christian Cullen. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
80 |
Wellywood | Sometimes dubbed 'Wellywood', Wellington is home to a flourishing handful of movie-making facilities, most of them associated with Lord of the rings director Peter Jackson. These include model and special-effects studios Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. The Weta Cave is a museum and shop featuring Jackson's work. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
81 |
Wellington's 'Cake Tin' | Wellington's Westpac Stadium - known affectionately as the 'Cake Tin' - opened in 1999 to replace the former rugby venue of Athletic Park. Rugby was first played at Athletic Park in 1896, and it was the site of some memorable games, including two All Black tests against France in hurricane-strength winds. The new stadium boasts a less exposed, more central position, and seating for more than 34,000. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
82 |
Wellington Harbour's taniwha | Wellington's wind-buffeted airport is on land uplifted from the sea by earthquakes. In Māori tradition, the harbour was once a lake occupied by two taniwha (supernatural creatures). One of the taniwha created the harbour entrance by breaking out to the open sea. Polynesian navigator Kupe is also believed to have visited Wellington Harbour. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
83 |
Attack on Ōpepe | A military blunder by colonial forces at Ōpepe in 1869 led to a surprise attack by Māori prophet and rebel Te Kooti and his men. Most of the soldiers were killed before they could arm themselves, but several escaped - including one who fled completely naked. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-tx-3346-su01-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
84 |
Visiting Tarawera | A remote spot on the Napier-Taupō road, Tarawera was first a Māori village, then a military stockade and an important coach stop. Author Katherine Mansfield - then aged 19 - spent a night in Tarawera in 1907, and enjoyed bathing in the nearby hot springs. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
85 |
Turbulent times at Te Hāroto | The tiny settlement of Te Hāroto, on the Napier-Taupō road, was once a major village of the Ngāti Hineuru tribe, followers of the Pai Mārire faith, which supported Māori self-determination. In 1866 a Pai Mārire group planning to attack Napier were defeated by settler militia, and those who survived the battle were shipped to the Chatham Islands. The government later built a military blockhouse at Te Hāroto. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
86 |
Te Pōhue, travellers' stop | Remote Te Pōhue, on the Napier-Taupō highway, was once on a Māori track cutting across the tribal boundaries of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa - two tribes that were in conflict for a period, then made peace. Around 1870 a coach road was cut through the dense forest, and a hotel was built at Te Pōhue for travellers. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
87 |
Fruitful Eskdale | The fertile soils around Eskdale produce apples, stonefruit and grapes for winemaking. Hawke's Bay is dubbed the fruit bowl of New Zealand - it was the site of vineyards planted from 1851 by French Catholic missionaries (the forerunners of present-day Mission Estate winery), and of Wattie's canning and food-processing business, established in 1934. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
88 |
Hawke's Bay rugby | Hawke's Bay's rugby team has a proud record of holding New Zealand's premier rugby trophy, the Ranfurly Shield. Hawke's Bay legend George Nēpia, who toured with the 'Invincibles' All Black team in 1924-25, was one of the finest fullbacks ever. In 1921 McLean Park in Napier hosted the first-ever international game in New Zealand played by the New Zealand Māori side. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number D198 - D201 DCDR12). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
89 |
Hawke's Bay's big shake | New Zealand's most devastating earthquake killed more than 250 and destroyed Napier and Hastings in February 1931. The 7.8-magnitude quake was followed by fires which gutted central Napier. The city was rebuilt in art deco style - now a major tourist drawcard. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR919 Tr 1). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
90 |
Trout fishing on the Tongariro River | British settlers introduced freshwater recreational fishing to New Zealand, stocking the rivers with trout and salmon. The Tongariro River near Tūrangi has long been a mecca for trout fishers, including international celebrity visitors such as American author Zane Grey and the Duchess of York. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR500). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
91 |
Lake Rotoaira | The famed 'Ka mate' haka - well known for being performed before rugby games - was composed by Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha as he hid from pursuers on an island in Lake Rotoaira. He was concealed in a kūmara (sweet potato) pit, with the local chief's wife squatting above him. The lake is also a reservoir of water for hydroelectric power generation. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T370). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
92 |
Volcano traditions | The central North Island peaks of Ngāuruhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro - dramatically visible from the Desert Road - are active volcanoes, part of the Pacific 'ring of fire'. One version of a Māori tradition tells of a battle among the mountains for the love of beautiful Mt Pīhanga, while another describes how the priest Ngātoroirangi, exploring the area, was caught in freezing weather and called to his sisters to send fire from their homeland, Hawaiki. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number CD 2490, track 1116). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
93 |
Tangiwai rail disaster | Tangiwai means 'weeping waters', and the name seemed sadly apt on Christmas Eve 1953, when a lahar (volcanic mud flow) partly destroyed the railway bridge over the Whangaehu River. The Wellington-Auckland passenger express plunged into the river, killing 151 people, in New Zealand's worst rail disaster. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number DCDR 71A). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
94 |
Taihape, gumboot capital | Gumboots - black rubber Wellington boots - were celebrated by satirist John Clarke in his comic persona as laconic farmer Fred Dagg, who sang the boots' praises in the 1970s. In the 1980s, suffering from job losses and a rural economic downturn, the small town of Taihape rebranded itself as the world's gumboot capital. Today it still hosts an annual Gumboot Day. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number 06/095/318). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
95 |
Mangaweka by the main trunk line | Rugged mountains, dense forest and Māori hostile to the Crown were all impediments to developing the main trunk railway line through the central North Island. Construction went ahead from the 1880s after the Ngāti Maniapoto tribe agreed to open up their lands to the railway. An impressive series of viaducts was built across ravines, with workers based at Mangaweka - also the site of a major viaduct. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
96 |
Huntaway in Hunterville | The bond between farmers and their faithful working dogs is celebrated in Hunterville by a statue of a huntaway farm dog. Strong and versatile, with a loud, deep bark, huntaways are New Zealand's most common farm dog, and are invaluable on sheep farms. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0301-pm 9). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
97 |
Cape Kidnappers | To Māori Cape Kidnappers is Te Matau-a-Māui - the fish hook with which demigod Māui hauled up the North Island. British explorer James Cook gave the cape its English name after a Tahitian crew member on his ship was seized by Māori. Cape Kidnappers is also home to a gannet colony where thousands of birds nest. Archival audio sourced from Natural History New Zealand, http://www.nhnz.tv/. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
98 |
Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay giant | Dominating the Hawke's Bay skyline, Te Mata Peak and the surrounding range resemble a man lying on his back. According to Māori tradition, the peak has its origins in a tale of a giant warrior and a local tribe's attempt to outwit him. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
99 |
Māori culture in southern Hawke's Bay | A hill in southern Hawke's Bay can claim the world's longest place name. It refers to a local Māori ancestor, Tamatea, who played his flute to his loved one there. North of Waipawa is Te Aute College, a famous Māori boys' high school that has produced many influential leaders. Archival audio: Te Aute College. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
100 |
Pahīatua's 'Little Poland' | Dubbed 'Little Poland', a camp outside Pahīatua was home to over 700 Polish children displaced by the Second World War. The young refugees, mostly orphans who had survived the harsh conditions of camps in Siberia, arrived in 1944. Although it was expected that they would later return to Poland, most stayed on and made new lives in New Zealand. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-5087-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
101 |
Protecting native birds at Pūkaha Mount Bruce | New Zealand's forests were once rich in bird life, but introduced predators have taken a terrible toll - including extinctions of some species. Pūkaha Mount Bruce is one of a number of sanctuaries aiming to eliminate predators and protect native wildlife. It was once part of Seventy Mile Bush, a stretch of dense forest that was settled (and largely cleared) by Scandinavians in the 1870s. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T7700). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
102 |
Pāpāwai, the Māori capital | In the late 19th century Pāpāwai marae, outside Greytown, was the focus of the Kotahitanga - the Māori parliament movement, which sought to unify Māori tribes. With 3,000 residents, Pāpāwai was known as 'the Māori capital'. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
103 |
Featherston's camp | The army camp established outside Featherston for training First World War recruits took on a very different nature in the Second World War. Over 800 Japanese prisoners of war were held in the camp, and when some refused to work, conflict broke out. Guards opened fire, and 48 prisoners and a guard died. Archival audio: Wild Geese, 'Promises to keep'. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
104 |
The rugged Rimutakas | Early European settlers drove sheep around the shoreline rather than attempt to cross the Rimutaka Range between Wellington and Wairarapa. When a railway was built over the mountains in the 1870s, the steep gradient on the Wairarapa side required Fell engines, which have extra horizontal wheels on a central rail. Fell engines were used on the line until a 9-kilometre tunnel opened in 1955. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0229pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
105 |
Cook Strait's dangerous waters | The wild waters and intense weather of Cook Strait led Māori to perform special rituals when crossing the strait. The inter-island ferry Penguin was wrecked south of Wellington in 1909, causing 75 deaths, and 51 people died when the Wahine foundered at the entrance to Wellington Harbour in 1968. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-t-0605-su03-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
106 |
Kupe and Cook in the Marlborough Sounds | In Māori tradition, the drowned river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds were explored by the legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe in his pursuit of a giant octopus. Many place names in the area relate to Kupe. British navigator James Cook also explored the Sounds, resting and reprovisioning his crew at Ship Cove. Whaling stations were later established. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR1071). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
107 |
Havelock's science achievers | Two of New Zealand's greatest scientists spent childhood years in Havelock and attended the same primary school, more than 30 years apart. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ernest Rutherford was the first to split the atom, and rocket scientist William Pickering oversaw many NASA missions to the moon. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-tx-3223-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
108 |
Rescue at Delaware Bay | In 1863 Hūria Mātenga became a national heroine after she swam into treacherous seas to save those on board the Delaware, wrecked off the coast of Nelson. All the crew were rescued, and Hūria and her four Māori companions were rewarded by the government. Nearby Cable Bay is where New Zealand's first telegraph cable came ashore. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
109 |
Nelson, birthplace of New Zealand rugby | New Zealand's first rugby match was held in Nelson in 1870, at the suggestion of Charles Monro, who had played the game as a student in England. Rugby spread rapidly throughout the country, and Māori were quick to embrace the game. It was especially popular in small rural towns. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
110 |
Nelson - the WOW factor | The lack of flat land around Nelson led settlers to practise horticulture rather than farming. Tobacco, hops, tomatoes and grapes have all been grown in the area, and wine was produced by German immigrants. Also known for its arts and crafts, Nelson was the birthplace of the World of WearableArt (WOW) show in 1987. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
111 |
Picton and its ships | With the advent of roll-on, roll-off vehicle ferries across Cook Strait in 1962, Picton became a transport hub. The town is home to the hulk of the globe-trotting ship Edwin Fox, built in 1853 for the East India Company, and now preserved as part of a museum. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
112 |
Trouble at Tuamarina | Today a sleepy settlement between Picton and Blenheim, Tuamarina was the site of bloody conflict in June 1843. The New Zealand Company believed they had bought the Wairau plains - but Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha considered that the area had not been purchased. He evicted surveyors from the Wairau, and when a party of settlers arrived to arrest him, conflict broke out. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
113 |
Wine success for Blenheim | The Wairau River dominates the plains around Blenheim - and its waters have sometimes flooded the town. But it is also the source of the free-draining stony soils that have proved ideal for growing grapes for wine, leading to international success for Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Over 20,000 hectares of the region are planted in vineyards. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
114 |
First World War flyers at Ōmaka | The death of German pilot the Red Baron - killed by an Australian soldier in the First World War - is at the centre of an aviation museum at Ōmaka, near Blenheim. Film director Peter Jackson's collection of First World War fighter aircraft is also on display, along with a tribute to the carrier pigeons that delivered messages during the war. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
115 |
Seddon and Ward, premier towns | The Marlborough towns of Seddon and Ward are named after New Zealand premiers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries - and are built on land made available by the Liberal government's policy of subdividing large estates. 'King Dick' Seddon was a popular and charismatic figure, who died in office and was succeeded by businessman Joseph Ward. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
116 |
Salt from Lake Grassmere | Pink-tinged crystallisation ponds at Lake Grassmere produce up to 70,000 tonnes of salt from sea water each year - about half of New Zealand's salt needs. Salt was first produced at the lake in the 1940s. Archival audio: Taste New Zealand (videorecording). Auckland: Television New Zealand, 1993. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
117 |
Marine life at Kaikōura | Kaikōura means 'eat crayfish', and roadside caravans near the town offer the seafood delicacy for sale. Kaikōura is also home to fur seals, dolphins, and - most famously - whales feeding offshore, drawn there by a massive underwater canyon less than 5 kilometres from shore. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-mp-090315-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
118 |
Subdividing Cheviot Hills | The vast Cheviot Hills farm, with its grand mansion and exotic gardens, was once one of Canterbury's largest properties. After owner William 'Ready Money' Robinson died in 1889, his daughters sold the estate to the government, and it was divided into 54 small farms and the town of Cheviot. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-00516-01-s1-pm). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
119 |
Amberley hero | A statue in Amberley honours military hero and local farmer Charles Upham, the only man to receive the Victoria Cross twice for courage under fire in the Second World War. Upham's physical strength and determination were honed by his days mustering sheep in the rugged Canterbury high country. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
120 |
The changing fortunes of Kaiapohia | Kaiapohia was the great pā (fortified settlement) of the Ngāi Tahu tribe, and a base from which the tribe spread out and came to dominate most of the South Island. But in a disastrous conflict with North Island tribe Ngāti Toa, most of the residents of Kaiapohia were killed and the settlement was abandoned. Today Ngāi Tahu are flourishing once again. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
121 |
Christchurch under siege | New Zealand's most English city, Christchurch was hit by devastating earthquakes in September 2010 and February and June 2011. In the February quake 181 people died. Over a quarter of the city centre's buildings - many of them historic - were condemned, and the statue of city founder John Robert Godley was toppled. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
122 |
The towering Southern Alps | As the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates collide, they push up mountains - including the Southern Alps, one of the world's fastest-growing ranges. These dramatic South Island peaks are home to the cheeky kea parrot and native alpine flowers. They attract sightseers, skiers and climbers - including Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary, who learnt his mountaineering skills on their slopes. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-00502-01-s1-pm D502.1a). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
123 |
Rakaia, salmon river | New Zealand's longest bridge - almost 1.8 kilometres - spans the Rakaia River. A typical South Island braided river, the Rakaia was once a route for Māori heading to the West Coast in search of prized greenstone. Chinook salmon were released in the river in the early 1900s. New Zealand is the only place in the world where they have become established outside their native habitat. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
124 |
Timaru's heroes | Statues in Timaru commemorate several New Zealand heroes with local connections. Bob Fitzsimmons was a world champion boxer; athletics star Jack Lovelock won Olympic gold and broke the world record for the 1500 metres. Racehorse Phar Lap had a glittering career, mostly in Australia, while inventor Richard Pearse developed an early aeroplane. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T4183). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
125 |
The wallabies of Waimate | Nineteenth-century settlers were often keen to introduce exotic plants and animals to New Zealand - with mixed results. Australian wallabies and possums, common around Waimate, have become serious pests, and plagues of rabbits cause massive production losses for farmers. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-d-00709-03-s2-pm D709.3b). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
126 |
Ōamaru, whitestone city | The elegant buildings of Ōamaru were constructed from the local limestone, which is creamy in colour and easily carved. The town flourished from the 1880s, when an export trade in frozen meat developed at nearby Tōtara Estate farm. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
127 |
The Moeraki boulders | In Māori tradition the remarkable spherical boulders on Moeraki beach are eel pots - or baskets of kūmara (sweet potato) washed ashore from the Ārai-te-uru voyaging canoe. To scientists the boulders are concretions, formed around 60 million years ago from sediment and calcite. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
128 |
Seacliff and Karitāne | The seaside Otago town of Seacliff was the site of a lunatic asylum for almost 100 years. In 1907 former asylum superintendent Truby King, a resident of nearby Karitāne, set up what was to become the Plunket Society - an organisation to support and advise mothers on baby care. Highly successful, Plunket is still active today. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
129 |
Dunedin, Edinburgh of the south | Dunedin was settled by Scots from 1848, and even its name is a Gaelic version of Edinburgh. Once - but no longer - New Zealand's largest, wealthiest city, Dunedin retains a Scottish sensibility, with its stone buildings, Highland games, bagpipers and chilly weather - as well as whisky and haggis on offer around town. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number C293). | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
130 |
Dunedin and its scarfies | Dubbed 'scarfies' for the scarves they sport at rugby games, Dunedin's Otago University students make up a sixth of the city's population. Many live in run-down flats and adopt a rebellious, partying culture - occasionally to the point of burning sofas and rioting in the streets. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
131 |
Dunedin's bards | Scottish poet Robbie Burns is remembered by a statue in Dunedin - but the city has also been home to many other bards, including Thomas Bracken, who composed the words to New Zealand's national anthem, and the counter-culture poet James K. Baxter. A host of latter-day musical bards are responsible for the 'Dunedin sound' - jangly guitars and thoughtful lyrics, mostly associated with alternative music label Flying Nun. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
132 |
Otago Peninsula wildlife | "Abundant wildlife has long drawn people to the Otago Peninsula - though today's visitors are more likely to be appreciating live penguins, seals, albatrosses and sea lions, rather than hunting birds for their meat and feathers, or whales for their oil. Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number Spectrum 228). " | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
133 |
Bridging the mighty Clutha | Balclutha began life as 'The Ferry', the site of a ferry crossing on the mighty Clutha River from 1852. Gold brought new settlers, and a bridge was built, but was lost - along with four others further upstream - in a flood in 1878. The current bridge opened in 1935, prompting four days of celebration by delighted locals. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
134 |
Monumental Gore | What do a leaping brown trout, a Romney ram and a guitar have in common? They all feature in giant sculptures in Gore, famed for its trout fishing, sheep farming and country music - and for the excellent Eastern Southland Art Gallery. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
135 |
Invercargill's inventors | New Zealanders are famous for their 'no. 8 wire' mentality - ingenuity and creativity using basic materials. Hayes hardware store in Invercargill is run by the descendants of Ernest Hayes, who invented an array of farming gadgets in the late 19th century. The store also features the remarkable motorcycles designed and built by local speedster Burt Munro. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
136 |
Bluff, seafood mecca | New Zealand's southernmost town is known for its seafood, and more fish and shellfish is landed there than at any other New Zealand port. Bluff is famed for its creamy, delicious oysters, but blue cod, crayfish, mussels and pāua (abalone) are also on the menu. Muttonbirds - actually sooty-shearwater chicks - are harvested from offshore islands each autumn by Māori. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
137 |
The Winton baby farmer | The peaceful town of Winton was the centre of a national scandal in 1895. Local woman Minnie Dean, a 'baby farmer' who looked after infants in her home, was convicted of murdering one of her young charges, and the bodies of several children were found buried in her garden. Dean is the only woman to ever be hanged in New Zealand. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
138 |
Lumsden, steaming ahead | Steam shaped the town of Lumsden, which boomed from the late 1870s as a major railway junction. The Kingston Flyer train took travellers to the shores of Lake Wakatipu, where they crossed the lake to Queenstown or to lakeside farms by steamer - most famously the elegant SS Earnslaw. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
139 |
Glaciers and gold at Lake Wakatipu | The ice-age glaciers that gouged the land to form Lake Wakatipu also released precious stones from the earth. For Māori the lake was a source of prized greenstone, and in the 1860s Europeans flocked to the area in search of gold. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
140 |
Queenstown adventures | Thrill-seeking tourists pursue adrenalin rushes around Queenstown, billed as New Zealand's adventure capital. The world's first commercial bungy jump began near the town in 1988. Adventurous visitors can also enjoy jet boating (another New Zealand invention) on local rivers, and snow sports in the mountains. | 29 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 140 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Fascinating
These are fascinating! I've travelled throughout New Zealand and I never knew most of these stories. My favorite is the Hamilton Rif Raf one.
- Free
- Category: Places & Travel
- Language: English
- © 2011 Ministry for Culture and Heritage
