History
Medieval tale of Merlin and King Arthur found hiding as a book cover
A rare medieval manuscript containing stories about Merlin and King Arthur has been found hidden within another book in an old English library.
Norwegian culture, heritage and woodstacking with bestselling author Lars Mytting
In the 1860s and 70s two Norwegian settlements were established in the lower North Island. As the name of one of those today suggests - Norsewood - Norwegians were invited to settle here to clear a… Audio
The search for Orson Welles' lost masterpiece
Orson Welles' debut film, Citizen Kane, is often regarded as the most influential film of all time. So, it may surprise you to hear that his second film, released just one year later, has been called… Audio
The industry that takes people to the top of the world
Award-winning writer, journalist, and avid amateur climber Will Cockrell joins Jim to discuss his book Everest, Inc. The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World. Audio
It was the worst of all opening sentences...
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest invited entrants "to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels" - that is, one which was deliberately bad. Audio
Russian satellite Kosmos-482 crashes back to Earth
More than 50 years after being launched, Soviet satellite Komos-482 has crash-landed back to Earth. Audio
Motorbikes and towers: Elspeth Beard
Back in 1982, the broken-hearted 23-year-old Elspeth Beard set out on the solo adventure of a lifetime - clocking up 35,000 miles and becoming the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe on a… Audio, Gallery
Taking a look at taonga
It is New Zealand Archeology Week this week and Tuhura - Otago Museum has a Treasure of Tiwai event on. Audio
Devcich farm shines a light on Dalmatian pioneers
The story of a pioneering family of Dalmatian immigrants is kept alive through a cluster of rustic sheds on an historic farm near Thames. Lorenza Devcich's ancestors ran a gumdiggers trading post… Audio
Abuse in care victims still waiting for compensation
Can you even put a figure on years of abuse that in some cases included torture?
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 9 May 2025
In today's episode, the government has opted against setting up a new compensation scheme for survivors of abuse in state care, in favour of putting more money into the current system, cheers of joy… Audio
Rare signature from Queen Elizabeth up for auction
A rare signature from the late Queen Elizabeth the second made during a visit to Blenheim in the 1960s is up for auction in Dunedin this weekend. Ronnie Proctor from Proctor Auctions spoke to… Audio
The price of a ruined life
As a new announcement on compensation for Abuse in Care victims looms, one expert says the waiting has been another form of psychological abuse. Audio
NZ Sporting History: Jody Cameron
This week we're joined by former Tall Fern legend Jody Cameron Jody competed at the Athens games with the Black Ferns in 2004 and now co-owns the all-female-owned basketball team the Northern Kahu… Audio
Search for families of 1800 patients buried in unmarked graves
The search is on for families of nearly 2000 mental health patients who were buried in unmarked graves in Porirua. Porirua Cemeteries Manager Daniel Chrisp spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
The ideas that built us
A new book from one of New Zealand's most celebrated social historians looks at the ideas that built our nation - and concludes that neither Maori nor Europeans remained unchanged following their… Audio
UK celebrates 80 years since end of World War Two
Street and tea parties are being held across the UK - including at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street - to mark 80 years since World War Two ended in Europe. The BBC's Rob Watson spoke to Alexa… Audio
WW2 rifle pits found off SH3
There had been a number of archaeological finds since work on the highway began in 2023.
In Central Otago, historic buildings on the council chopping block
The Central Otago District Council has a plan that could save millions, but many locals say it comes at the cost of history, heritage and community.
Historic Otago buildings on the council chopping block
The Central Otago District Council has a plan that could save millions, but many locals say it comes at the cost of history, heritage and community. Audio
