A Forgotten History

More than 50 years later, LRDG veteran Ian Judge’s memories of the ill-fated campaign in the Greek Islands emphasize the real life impact of political decisions. New Zealand SAS acknowledge the legacy of the LRDG and former Defence Minister Judith Collins reveals the impact of New Zealand special forces units today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German commander Erwin Rommel seems to have the upper hand, pushing the Allies back into Egypt. But the LRDG – often working hand in hand with the SAS – help strike a series of crucial blows.   SHORT FILM Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates   Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production. Ma...

A successful operation deep in Italian territory brings the LRDG and Free French forces in Chad together. Getting home is tricky though – a man from Taihape makes an extraordinary barefoot journey over hundreds of miles in the desert. SHORT FILM Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates   Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradis...

Cairo, July 1940: British desert explorer Ralph Bagnold sets up a unit to raid and gather intelligence behind enemy lines. Ninety New Zealand soldiers from farming and mechanical backgrounds are selected to serve under four British officers. SHORT FILM Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates   Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradi...

After the manhunt, the police investigation, the political back and forth, and the 'trial of the century', the big questions remain - who was really responsible for bombing the Rainbow Warrior and how did it change New Zealand? Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman  Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine Executive P...

As the biggest trial NZ has ever seen approaches, the fallout from the bombing comes to a head for French politicians, spies are betrayed, tensions ramp up between leaders, and Kiwi police head to enemy territory in their hunt for evidence. Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman  Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontain...

The legacy of French nuclear testing in the Pacific goes well beyond the Rainbow Warrior. In Tahiti, we explore the lasting impacts of the testing programme on the people who had to live with it and reveal what the French government didn’t want Greenpeace- or rest of the world- to see.  Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix:...

With Mafart and Prieur in custody, NZ Police turn their attention towards finding the rest of the crew, but politics come into play as French lies mount up.   Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman  Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Music: Harbour Board...

The police investigation into the bombing turns into the biggest manhunt in New Zealand history, while the French duo at the centre of the investigations attempt to evade capture. And they aren’t the only team of French secret agents in the spotlight.  Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman  Researchers: Claire Log...

Shortly after midnight on July 10th 1985, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour. The man who bombed the Rainbow Warrior reveals why they did it, and why no one was meant to die. As the sun rises over New Zealand, the police investigation gets underway and the public and political fallout begins. Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Ches...

40 years ago, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour when French agents targeted a Greenpeace ship. It was meant to be a warning against anti-nuclear protests, but the death of a photographer on board sparked a major police and political response.  From the NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, this six-part series re-examines the bombing, the events leading up to it, the investigatio...

By the time Terry Clark is sentenced to jail in 1981, the Mr Asia syndicate is nearing its end, its best years fading into memory. But while it may have run for only a few years, its impact continues to be felt today. For a full cast list, never before seen photos, and an extended interview with Detective Superintendent Greg Williams visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell...

Mr Asia - Marty Johnstone - is dead. The justice system comes for Terry Clark and Andy Maher, and the syndicate is brought down by women.  For a full cast list and never before seen photos, visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Executive producers:  Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Music: Human Instinct, Tick...

Late 1978: Halloween sees Terry Clark face the courts, Christmas Day sees the gang's couriers cross paths with the police, and the clock is ticking for Marty Johnstone.  For a full cast list and never before seen photos, visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Executive producers:  Ethan Sills and Andrew La...

The Mr Asia syndicate expands, and the Australian market goes to the next level. But as the gang lives the high life, the murders begin - and has Terry Clark’s luck run out? For a full cast list and never before seen photos, visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Executive producers:  Ethan Sills and Andr...

In 1975, a massive shipment of marijuana and a chaotic trip to Thailand lays the groundwork for Marty Johnstone and his gang to move into heroin - and sees them cross paths with the journalist who would dub them Mr Asia.  For a full cast list and never before seen photos, visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman...

In 1974, when Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark met for the first time, there was no knowing then how big their enterprise would become. Or how violently their partnership would end. For a full cast list and never before seen photos, visit nzherald.co.nz/mrasia Written and presented: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Executive producers:  Ethan Sills and And...

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark. As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.  In the new season of A Forgotten History, from the New Zealand Herald a...

In this bonus episode of Tangiwai: A Forgotten History, we head back to the scene of the accident as the 70th anniversary is marked in an official ceremony. And, in the weeks after the series was released, dozens of people have contacted us with their own stories from December 24th, 1953, and we share those stories here. Our thanks to all those involved in organising the memorial and the train ser...

70 years since Tangiwai, in a year where natural disasters once again exposed our poor investments in infrastructure, we ask experts if the country truly remembered the lessons of the Tangiwai disaster. Guests: Nick Leggett Dr Samaneh Madanian Gail Pacheco Liam Wotherspoon Max Rashbrooke  Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Researcher: Neesha Bremner Production a...

With the information we've learned from authorities and locals, Hamish looks at what would happen if the Tangiwai disaster was to happen today, and how quickly - or not - people would respond. Guests: Chris Carter Andrew Chambers Colonel Trevor Walker Brad Scott Matt Carey Senior Constable Conrad Smith Kyle MacDonald Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer...

As the years passed, Tangiwai slipped into memory. That's until Mt Ruapehu erupted again in the mid-90s, prompting panic throughout the region - and within Government. So how has the local area changed in the decades since Tangiwai? Guests: Weston Kirton Ian Mckelvie Andrew Chambers Don Alabaster John Chapman Chris Carter Hollei Gabrielson Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha...

1950s New Zealand did their best to put Tangiwai behind them, with rapid repairs and a quick inquiry. Did the inquiry provide the answers the country needed, and how is the disaster being remembered today? Guests: Graeme Stewart Bob Norling Ian Heppe Jim McAloon Hollei Gabrielson John Mahy Callum Mahy Ian McKelvie Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: S...

On Christmas Day, the small nation of New Zealand - hosting the Queen and Prince Philip at the time - awoke to news of the horrific tragedy that was impossible to avoid. For some though, they were waking up to news that their loved ones had perished. Guests: Jim McAloon Graeme Stewart John Mahy Beryl Donovan Don Alabaster Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound eng...

New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster occurred at 10:21pm, Christmas Eve, 1953. We explore the unfortunate series of events that led to Ka 949 plunging into the Whangaehu River, and hear from those there that night about the nightmare they witnessed. Guests: John Mahy Bob Silk Bruce Thompson Jim McAloon  Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wi...