A Forgotten History
NZ Herald · NZME
Show overview
A Forgotten History has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 32 episodes, alongside 3 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 20 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 37 min and 51 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-NZ-language History show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 weeks ago, with 10 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 14 episodes published. Published by NZME.
From the publisher
Each season of A Forgotten History explores a key story from New Zealand's past with fresh perspective on what happened at the time, and the lasting impacts of the moment. Season 3: Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour. The terror attack and the subsequent fallout changed New Zealand forever. Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions. Season 2: Mr Asia 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. Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions. Season 1: Tangiwai. Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy? Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald. All seasons made with funding from NZ on Air. Images used in the podcast tiles have been colourised.
Latest Episodes
View all 32 episodesSpecial Series: Common Grounds with Nespresso
Special Series: Common Grounds with Scapegrace
Special Series: Common Grounds with Tax Traders
Special Series: Common Grounds with Blunt
Special Series: Common Grounds with Sills + Co
Special Series: Common Grounds with Signature Homes
Remembering
Ghost Patrols
Desert Pirates: Into the Blue
Desert Pirates: Bearded Ruffians
S3 Ep 6Friends and Allies
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 5Not Her Real Name
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 4Fire in the Sky
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 3Lawman
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 2Liberty, Equality, Radioactivity
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 1Shadow Warriors
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc Chesterman Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline FontaineExecuive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ DonoghueFor photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarriorThanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3: Rainbow Warrior - A Forgotten History
trailer40 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 investigation that followed, and the ongoing fallout from this case and the French nuclear testing. Listen to episodes weekly from July 10th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 Ep 6The Long Shadow
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 and Noelle McCarthySound design and mix: Marc ChestermanExecutive producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Human Instinct, Ticket, and Tom Dalton Made with funding by NZ On Air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 Ep 5Lady Justice
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc ChestermanExecutive producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Human Instinct, Ticket, and Tom Dalton Made with funding by NZ On Air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 Ep 4The End of the Party
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 McCarthySound design and mix: Marc ChestermanExecutive producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew LaxonMusic: Human Instinct, Ticket, and Tom Dalton Made with funding by NZ On Air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.