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A Forgotten History

A Forgotten History

NZ Herald · NZME

26 episodesEN-NZserial

Show overview

A Forgotten History has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 26 episodes, alongside 3 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 20 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 37 min and 52 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 2 weeks ago, with 4 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 14 episodes published. Published by NZME.

Episodes
26
Running
2023–2026 · 3y
Median length
44 min
Cadence
Quarterly-ish

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 26 episodes

Remembering

Apr 28, 202640 min

Ghost Patrols

Apr 23, 202637 min

Desert Pirates: Into the Blue

Apr 23, 202639 min

Desert Pirates: Bearded Ruffians

Apr 22, 202634 min

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.

Aug 6, 202555 min

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.

Jul 30, 202551 min

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.

Jul 23, 202547 min

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.

Jul 16, 202552 min

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.

Jul 9, 202550 min

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.

Jul 9, 202552 min

Season 3: Rainbow Warrior - A Forgotten History

trailer

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 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.

Jul 6, 20252 min

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.

Mar 11, 202554 min

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.

Mar 4, 202547 min

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.

Feb 25, 202554 min

S2 Ep 3High Time

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 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.

Feb 18, 202556 min

S2 Ep 2Seven Months in a Leaky Boat

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 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.

Feb 18, 202552 min

S2 Ep 1When Terry Met Marty

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 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.

Feb 18, 202548 min

Season 2: Mr Asia - A Forgotten History

trailer

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 and Bird of Paradise Productions, John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy revisit the lives and crimes of these two men, their associates, and how their actions changed drug culture in New Zealand. Episodes available from February 19th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 4, 20252 min

S1 Ep 7Memorials and Memories

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 service there. Guests:John MahyCallum MahyRaymond OshanassyJohn ArcherRuth GreenJoan HumphriesKeith Howells Presenter and producer: Hamish WilliamsSound engineer: Shaun D WilsonResearcher: Neesha BremnerExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 31, 202435 min

S1 Ep 6Never Again

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 LeggettDr Samaneh MadanianGail PachecoLiam WotherspoonMax Rashbrooke Presenter and producer: Hamish WilliamsSound engineer: Shaun D WilsonResearcher: Neesha BremnerProduction assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te MoanaExecutive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 18, 202345 min