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Black Sheep — History
Black Sheep

The shady, controversial and sometimes downright villainous characters of NZ history. Join William Ray as he explores history through the lens of Kiwi dirtbags in NZ's most awarded podcast.

Copyright: © (C) Radio New Zealand 2020

Latest Episodes:

What to Listen to Next: NZ Wars Collection Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Host of Black Sheep William Ray recommends a new RNZ podcast for history fans, NZ Wars Collection - Kohikohinga o nga pakanga o Aotearoa. We’re bringing all our New Zealand Wars stories together in your favourite podcast app, with another chapter on the way. Each chapter zeroes in on one of the many wars, battles, and skirmishes that make up what are collectively known as the New Zealand Wars. Search for NZ Wars Collection in your podcast app to follow the series.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Original Westie: the story of Don Buck Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

The founding father of West Auckland - Don Buck was notorious in the early 20th century for his hard drinking, hard living gum digging camp in the foothills of the Waitakere ranges. Black Sheep investigates the legend of this enigmatic and feared folk hero - the original Westie.

Watch the video of Marianne Simpkins reading her poem The Ballad of Don Buck's Hill

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Defective: the story of Dr Theodore Gray Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

“Oh Mummy save me from Dr Gray, because teacher says he’s coming today, and if I’m stupid he’ll take me away”. William Ray looks at the life and legacy of Dr Theodore Gray, a staunch eugenicists who was head of New Zealand's Mental Hospitals Department for 20 years.

Further reading:

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 2) Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In part two, we look at the years Elsdon Best spent living in Te Urewera, attempting to preserve knowledge he believed was on the brink of being lost forever, the remarkable relatioship he built with Tūhoe leaders, and how that relationship fell apart.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 1) Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Described in his own time as "the white Tōhunga of Tuhoeland" and by some today as a "structural rascist" who "stole" knowledge, it's fair to say Elsdon Best is a controvesial character. In the first of a two part episode, Black Sheep traces the early life of this self-taught ethnologist.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Saturday Morning: Behind Black Sheep Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

New Zealand's most awarded podcast is RNZ's own Black Sheep, and it's back with its 9th season. Hosted and produced by William Ray - he explores New Zealand history through the lens of real life, shady, controversial and sometimes downright villainous characters. Saturday Morning's own Susie Ferguson has even been typecast as a murderous Scottish villain in it. Susie and William discuss how the seasons come to be, and wonder why William is so obsessed with the sketchy side of life.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Killer Nurse: the story of Elspeth Kerr (Part 2) Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

In the second of Black Sheep's two-part episode on Elspeth Kerr, detectives unravel the mystery of 9-year old Betty Kerr's poisoning and uncover more potential victims of a beloved nurse, turned serial poisoner.

The Trials of Nurse Kerr: The anatomy of a secret poisoner by Scott Bainbridge

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Killer Nurse: the story of Elspeth Kerr (Part 1) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Elspeth Kerr was a beloved local nurse in 1930s Devonport, but when her husband died suddenly and her foster daughter fell into an inexplicable coma, locals discovered the shocking truth: Nurse Kerr was a serial poisoner. But more than 90 years later, elements of her crimes remain a mystery. In the first of a two part episode, Black Sheep investigates the chilling story.

The Trials of Nurse Kerr: The anatomy of a secret poisoner by Scott Bainbridge

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Black Sheep Season 9 | Trailer Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Black Sheep returns on Friday 30 January for its 9th season with a new cast of rogues, villains and controversial characters. Murderous nurses, foul-mouthed goldfield barkeepers, sly grogging kāuri gum dealers and more! Join William Ray as he looks at the darker side of New Zealand history.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

BONUS: Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

We're ducking into your feed to bring you an episode of a new RNZ podcast: Kelly Tartlon's Final Treasure Hunt. This story has everything! Kidnapping, smuggling, scurvy, and imaginary islands full of Jewish gold... Make sure to follow Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt wherever you get your podcasts.

To see more of Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt, visit the RNZ website here.

Special thanks to the Tarlton family for their support and trust in making this podcast.

For more about Kelly Tarlton we recommend:

Watch: Lost and Found: The Story of Cook's Anchor
Throw Me the Wreck, Johnny: memories of Kelly Tarlton by Steve Locker-Lampson
Kelly: the Adventurous Life of Kelly Tarlton by E. V. Sale
Navigators and Naturalists, By Michael Lee
The Fateful Voyage of the St Jean Baptiste, By John Dunmore
The Expedition of the St Jean Baptiste to the Pacific 1769 - 1770, Translated and edited by John Dunmore

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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