Airing time: Your choice, on-demand
RNZ's Spectrum was an iconic documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016.
After listening to Spectrum episodes for the first time, 17yr old Cian, shares his insights, thoughts and opinions on what he has just heard.
Includes replays of the original Spectrum episode, by permission from RNZ.
Podcasts
Click on the title of an episode to listen
Leslie Quartermain: an Antarctic explorer's letters home from WWI - RNZ, 1981
Leslie Quartermain (1895 - 1973) is remembered largely for his connections with the Antarctic and his books on the Southern Continent.
But there exists an earlier, more personal body of his literature – his letters home from the Western Front during World War One.
Actor Peter Vere-Jones reads some of them.
Duration: 00:42:57 | Date: 9 March, 2019
And There Was a Great Darkness - RNZ,1975
The eruption of Mt Tarawera on the 10th of June, 1886, including a famous eye-witness account by Rotorua telegraphist Harry Dansey. Produced by Alwyn Owen from material held in the Turnbull Library and Radio NZ Archives.
Duration: 00:35:21 | Date: 2 March, 2019
Spectrum's Guide to Kiwi Weddings - RNZ, 1973
A satirical recreation by Alwyn Owen of the good old Kiwi wedding. Narrated by Bill Toft.
Duration: 00:37:58 | Date: 16 February, 2019
And All the Queen's Men - RNZ, 1975
A recreation of the battle fought at Gate Pa, Tauranga, in 1864 and its aftermath. A previously unknown diary of the affair was used, along with a specially recorded battle scene.
Duration: 00:49:20 | Date: 9 February, 2019
From the Hot Lakes District - RNZ, 1986
Rotorua's thermal areas seen through the eyes of diarists around the turn of the century. Produced by Alwyn Owen from diaries and travel guides held in the Turnbull Library.
Duration: 00:41:59 | Date: 2 February, 2019
A Festival Of Cans -RNZ, 1975
A nostalgic tribute to that most humble and human New Zealand institution, the dunny. The long-drop, the three-holer, the users, the emptiers, the designers, and, of course, the good-old night-cart. Unique New Zealand humour.
Duration: 00:33:35 | Date: 26 January, 2019
The Imperial Wizard - RNZ, 1976
A portrait of Ian Brackenbury-Channel, Wizard of Christchurch.
Duration: 00:38:06 | Date: 5 January, 2019
Rangers of the Gulf - RNZ, 1976
The daily work of Hauraki Maritime Park rangers.
Duration: 00:39:52 | Date: 29 December, 2018
Rock and Roll Pioneer - RNZ, 1993
Jerome Cvitanovich talks to New Zealand music pioneer Johnny Cooper about his early years and his successful entertainment career.
Duration: 00:41:26 | Date: 22 December, 2018
'Tales From The Tip Face' - RNZ,1984
His years as overseer of the Nelson tip have brought Jim Hargreaves into contact with all kinds of people and their rubbish. Jack Perkins joins Jim during a busy Saturday morning down at the dump.
Duration: 00:33:13 | Date: 15 December, 2018
'Man of the Bush" - RNZ, 1977
Artist Rei Hamon talks to Alwyn Owen about his early life, his Maori ancestry, and feelings for the bush which influenced his famous drawings.
Duration: 00:43:16 | Date: 8 December, 2018
'Every One Was A Triumph' (Part 2) - RNZ,1976
Grace Moreton recalls her life in China and Czechoslovakia in the 1930's and her efforts, along with her husband, to aid the Jews and anti-Nazis to escape from Hitler's dominance prior to the outbreak of war.
Duration: 00:36:27 | Date: 1 December, 2018
Every One Was A Triumph (Part 1) - RNZ,1976
Grace Moreton recalls her life in China and Czechoslovakia in the 1930's and her efforts, along with her husband, to aid the Jews and anti-Nazis to escape from Hitler's dominance prior to the outbreak of war.
Duration: 00:38:53 | Date: 17 November, 2018
'Queen Victoria's Incredible Journey' - RNZ, 1982
An amazing document was 'discovered' in one of the research libraries by the Spectrum team.In Queen Victoria's own handwriting, it details how she visited this country incognito in 1882, disguised as a Highland Gentleman.
Duration: 00:52:12 | Date: 10 November, 2018
'King's Shilling' - RNZ, 1981 Pt. 2: Sandbags And Singing Wire
In April 1918 George Lee was shipped from England to the Western Front in Belgium and the realities of life behind the sandbags. In conversation with Jack Perkins he gives a vividly detailed, intensely human account of the concluding stages of World War One.
Duration: 00:47:15 | Date: 3 November, 2018
"Kings Shilling" - RNZ, 1981 Part 1: They Taught Us How To Kill Men But Not Lice
In April 1918 George Lee was shipped from England to the Western Front in Belgium and the realities of life behind the sandbags. In conversation with Jack Perkins he gives a vividly detailed, intensely human account of the concluding stages of World War One.
Duration: 00:50:50 | Date: 27 October, 2018
"The Stan Graham Murders" - RNZ, 1977
Compiled from official sources combined with eye-witness accounts, some previously untapped, this is a graphic reconstruction of New Zealand`s most famous manhunt in 1941, produced by Jack Perkins.
Duration: 00:50:49 | Date: 20 October, 2018
"How to Record Your Grandfather" - RNZ, 1982
History is not only a written record of events, it also resides in people's memories. Through the audio recorder, this resource of memory can be preserved for today's and future generations. Over a period of years, the Spectrum team developed techniques for recording oral history and many of these can be applied by the amateur within, or without, the circle of family and friends. Here, then, is a kitset from Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins of the Spectrum Tea
Duration: 00:38:15 | Date: 13 October, 2018
"Whina Cooper 1978 Pt 2 of 2" - RNZ
Herea Te Tangata Ki Te Whenua : Bind the people to the land.
The life and story of land activist and noted Maori leader Whina Cooper, interviewed by Alwyn Owen.
Duration: 00:36:20 | Date: 6 October, 2018
"Whina Cooper 1978 Part 1 of 2" - RNZ
Herea Te Tangata Ki Te Whenua : Bind the people to the land.
The life and story of land activist and noted Maori leader Whina Cooper, interviewed by Alwyn Owen.
Duration: 00:00:00 | Date: 29 September, 2018
"Far Out and Feminist" - RNZ, 1988
Deb Nation looks back at the 1977 Christchurch United Women's Convention with the key players, including Sister Pauline O'Reagan, Alison Cooper, Nedra Johnson, Jane Chatwin and Jenny Heal. It was a time of change, choice and chances and a controversy raged over the presence of male reporters at the conference.
John Bishop recalls his eviction by lesbian feminists.
Duration: 00:39:37 | Date: 22 September, 2018
"Hanging 10 on The Internet" - RNZ, 1995
This 1995 episode of Spectrum looks at some of the phenomena associated with the Internet such as multimedia technology, video-conferencing, electronic mail, remote shopping, World-Wide Web etc.
Duration: 00:33:56 | Date: 15 September, 2018