The Long Read from Stuff

It was one meeting, in one town, about one river. But it was the flash point for a debate consuming rural New Zealand - How do we conserve our fresh water and our economy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During WWII, Edgar 'Sandy' Sanders from Christchurch was part of an elite Allied unit operating behind enemy lines. After the war, he became a treasure hunter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thirty-seven years ago, Allan Woodford walked out the door of his home in the middle of the night and disappeared forever. The case has confounded his family and the police ever since. Did Woodford take his own life? Or was he murdered? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been a surprising emergence of competitive minigolf and putting towards representing New Zealand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 16 years, Stuff reporter Nikki Macdonald has followed five families with children born before 28 weeks gestation. These are their stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Two-episode special – make sure you listen to Episode One first!) When David Lyttle’s best friend disappeared, police accused Lyttle of murder, then lured him into a fantasy world to get him to confess. This is Mike White’s investigation into an undercover operation that went way too far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When David Lyttle’s best friend disappeared, police accused Lyttle of murder, then lured him into a fantasy world to get him to confess. This is Mike White’s investigation into an undercover operation that went way too far. (Episode one of a two-episode special.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The strange story of the man who pivoted from complaining about “bullet-hard” lentils to becoming a leading voice in New Zealand’s anti-vax movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black Ferns sevens player Ruby Tui shot to international fame last year on the back of some star turns during post-match interviews at the Tokyo Olympics. Since then, she's cultivated a deeper public persona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February 2000, 20-year-old Lisa Blakie was murdered after she started hitchhiking towards the West Coast. The man convicted of the killing remains in jail, but some say police have the wrong man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a student rite of passage: first year in the halls, second year flatting. But in Wellington, finding a flat has never been more expensive, or the students more desperate. This is the story of five students, embarking on the annual quest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early hours of August 27, 1921, Constable James Dorgan was shot while investigating a possible burglary in downtown Timaru. His death is the only unsolved murder of a police officer in New Zealand, but new evidence points to a suspect close to home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For 236 days across 2008 and 2009, William Stewart was the most wanted man in New Zealand. In that time he became so notorious he inspired a folk song and his own T-shirt. But the reality was much darker. This is the true story of Billy the Hunted One. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2011, a Norwegian yacht sank off the coast of Antarctica during a storm. Three of its crew were lost. A decade on, a Stuff investigation finds new revelations about why the yacht sank and New Zealand's involvement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From crime boss, to circus act boxer, to relentless force for good. Dave Letele's rollercoaster life is finally on the level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A macabre killer targeting horses terrorised Christchurch at the end of the 19th century. Who was the horse fiend, whose spree spanned a decade and drew comparisons with Jack the Ripper? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the only known murder on Stewart Island. On December 14, 1927, 82-year-old André Jose was bludgeoned to death in a Stewart Island boarding house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say they were traumatised at Toi Whakaari. This is the story of a group of students who helped force New Zealand's national drama school to overhaul its sexual harassment and bullying policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kāwhia, in Waikato, is the ancestral home of the Tainui tribe. 100 years ago, it battled to keep the influenza pandemic at bay. Today, it is adopting a unique way of keeping Covid-19 out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For two years, a small team at Christchurch Airport plotted an audacious strike – to move in on their rival's territory. This is the unlikely story of the plan to build an international airport in a tiny town in Central Otago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Covid-19 lockdowns exposed something approaching a national fixation with KFC. Why are Kiwis so obsessed with fried chicken? The Long Read examines the light and dark sides of our collective fascination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1991, Noeleen Marinovich was abandoned during her pregnancy by a local priest, who left her fighting a financial battle with the Catholic Church. Twenty-seven years later, Noeleen was murdered by their son. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carolina Lewis had her whole life ahead of her, then she was gone. For two years, her family kept her story close, hoping for justice. But their pleas for a better investigation into Carolina’s death are yet to be answered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stuff journalist Charlie Mitchell reports once more from deep in the alternate universe of Covid-19 conspiracies. This time, the confounding case of a small group of doctors opposed to vaccination and other public health measures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Stuff reporter was alarmed to discover his car's dashcam had been recording trips for years, long before he bought it. How far is too far for surveillance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices