Felix von Luckner was a child aristocrat who ran away to sea, he captained the last square-rigged sailing ship ever to serve in combat, he sailed three thousand kilometres across the Pacific in a lifeboat and led the most embarrassing jailbreak in NZ history. RNZ's Black Sheep podcast investigates his life story.

The story of New Zealand and its people, from its geological origins to modern day. Hosted by William Ray and Leigh-Marama McLachlan, with animation by Chris Maguren. Made possible by the RNZ/NZ On Air Innovation Fund.

In this special episode of Black Sheep, William Ray looks at the history of white supremacy in NZ.

The story of Horatio Robley continues... How did a man once dubbed a "predator of culture" for his collection of Maori heads become better known as a "friend of the Maori"?

Horatio Robley witnessed the most famous battle of the New Zealand Wars, he fathered a child with the daughter of a sworn enemy, his sketching helped end a war, his book helped save the art of Maori tattooing... But mostly he's famous for his grotesque collection of nearly 40 human heads.

The death penalty has started wars, won elections, outraged the population and ruined lives. Join William Ray for this live podcast recording at the Bread and Circus Festival in Christchurch with guests Dame Fiona Kidman, Vincent O'Malley and Mark Derby as they unpick the history of executions in New Zealand.

A few listeners told William this podcast puts them to sleep. But you know what? He's just happy to help. If you'd like William to put you to sleep in person: book a FREE ticket to our live podcast recording at the Bread and Circus World Busker's Festival in Christchurch on January 26th, 2019.

Bully Hayes is famous as a charismatic "pirate" of the South Pacific. But most stories gloss over his more heinous crimes: Slavery, sexual assault and the brutal abuse of his crew.

In part two, how Gustavus von Tempsky went from a relatively famous soldier to the uber-hero of NZ colonial history.

He was larger than life, a warrior and artist who's legend has only grown since his death in 1868.... but Gustavus von Tempsky had a dark side

Why do some historians think an NZ-born traitor was "instrumental" in the Japanese victory in Singapore during WWII? 

What drove a boy from Reefton to turn against his comrades in World War Two? How was a former boxing and swimming champion recruited as an agent of Imperial Japan?

Amy Bock was a criminal "supreme in her cleverness". Her most famous con saw her pose as a man for 15 weeks and marry the daughter of her landlord. Nobody has ever been able to explain what motivated her lifetime of fraud and scams.

The story of Horatio Robley continues... How did a man once dubbed a "predator of culture" for his collection of Maori heads become better known as a "friend of the Maori"?

Horatio Robley witnessed the most famous battle of the New Zealand Wars, he fathered a child with the daughter of a sworn enemy, his sketching helped end a war, his book helped save the art of Māori tattooing... But mostly he's famous for his grotesque collection of nearly 40 human heads. >

Black Sheep will be returning on October 29th! In the meantime RNZ producer Sonia Sly is slipping into your feed with the latest episode of her excellent podcast Beyond Kate

Black Sheep will be returning on October 29th! In the meantime RNZ producer Sonia Sly is slipping into your feed with the latest episode of her excellent podcast Beyond Kate

Black Sheep isn't back yet but William has found another podcast episode you might enjoy - all about the history of booze in New Zealand's parliament. 

Black Sheep isn't back yet but William has found another podcast episode you might enjoy - all about the history of booze in New Zealand's parliament. 

Black Sheep isn't back yet but William has found another podcast episode you might enjoy - all about the history of booze in New Zealand's parliament.

Pākehā settlers in Taranaki knew John Bryce as “Honest John” but Taranaki Māori called him “Bryce Koruhu” - Bryce the Murderer. In this episode of Black Sheep William Ray investigates the life of the infamous Native Affairs Minister.

Pākehā settlers in Taranaki knew John Bryce as “Honest John” but Taranaki Māori called him “Bryce Kohuru” - Bryce the Murderer. In this episode of Black Sheep William Ray investigates the life of the infamous Native Affairs Minister.

Pakeha settlers in Taranaki knew John Bryce as "Honest John" but Taranaki Maori called him "Bryce Kohuru" - Bryce the Murderer. In this episode of Black Sheep William Ray investigates the life of the infamous Native Affairs Minister.

Roy Courlander was a New Zealand soldier who joined Nazi Germany's infamous SS during WW2. Black Sheep investigates why he chose to turn traitor.