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.

Hosted and produced by William Ray

The words "Black Sheep" are displayed in a vintage font above a black sheep with a creepy red eye.

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Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 1)

“There was a time when I was proud of you men of the Anzac Mounted Division. I am proud of you no longer.” In the first of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre.

An 1870s map of the area of Sarafand al-Amar

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 2)

"They went out to this village, and they went through it with the bayonet.” In the second of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre of December 1918.

Historical document containing statements of various witnesses to the murder of NZ trooper Leslie Lowry in 1918.

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 3)

"As morning dawned we stood and watched / That devastated scene / Where but a single yesterday / Had flourished Surafeen." In the final episode of a three-part series, RNZ's Black Sheep investigates the Surafend massacre of December 1918.

SURAFEND, PALESTINE. C. 1918. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CAMP OF THE 5TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE ...

Highwayman: the story of Robert Wallath

In 1892 a masked figure in a bizarre uniform began a 15 month crime spree, robbing people at gunpoint in and around New Plymouth. When he was finally arrested and unmasked, residents were dumbfounded to discovered the perpetrator was mild-mannered Robert Wallath - the teenage son of a local farmer and carpenter.

New Plymouth Highwayman Robert Wallath shortly after his arrest 1893 wearing his mask, army coat and plumed hat

Beastly Truth: the story of George Howe

In the 1900s a series of lurid headlines were published in the New Zealand Truth about George Howe, a "Beastly Brothel-keeper" who pimped out underage girls from his shop on Wellington's Adelaide Road. But what Truth found most "beastly" about Howe, is that he was Chinese. Black Sheep looks at the case of George Howe, and the "editorial hate-crimes" of what was once NZ's most influential newspaper.

Discusses underage prostitution, racist language

NZ Truth Newspaper headline dated 1908: CONCUPISCENT CHINAMEN. WHERE WHITE WOMEN CONSORTED WITH CHOWS. George Howe the Beastly Brothel-keeper. HORRIBLE REVELATIONS IN THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Musket Missionary: the story of Thomas Kendall (Part 1)

Early Missionary Thomas Kendall facilitated the sale of hundreds of muskets to Ngāpuhi Māori, helping to enable the bloodiest wars in New Zealand history. But there's more to Kendall's story. He was instrumental in the transformation of Te Reo Māori into a written language, and became so fascinated by Māori spirituality that he (in his own words) "almost completely turned from a Christian to a Heathen".

Musket Missionary: the story of Thomas Kendall (Part 2)

Early NZ missionary Thomas Kendall arrived in London in 1820 with the Ngāpuhi Rangatira Hongi Hika. He would return to Aotearoa a year later with the first ever written dictionary of Te Reo Māori, a newly won clerical collar ...and more than 300 muskets.

Painting of Thomas Kendall (right), and the Ngāpuhi rangatira Hongi Hika (center) and Waikato (left). Painted in 1820.

Bird Bandit: the story of Freddie Angell

Freddie Angell was New Zealand's most notorious wildlife smuggler. His repeated attempts at stealing and exporting native wildlife in the 1990s, including Kea and Tuatara, made him all but a household name. Black Sheep speaks to documentary-maker Andy MacDonald about his extraordinary story.

Spy Scandal: the story of Bill Sutch

Bonus episode

Spy Scandal: the story of Bill Sutch

Bonus episode

On 27 September 1974 New Zealanders woke to the news Dr Bill Sutch, a famous economist, historian, and former senior government official had been arrested and accused of spying for Soviet Russia. He was later found not guilty, but over the last 50 years, suspicion has swirled, and new evidence has been revealed. Check our RNZ's award Winning Podcast The Service for more about the history of the SIS in New Zealand.

BONUS: Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt

Bonus episode

BONUS: Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt

Bonus episode

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.

Kelly Tarlton was New Zealand's most successful treasure hunter.

Trailer: Black Sheep Season 8

Trailer

Trailer: Black Sheep Season 8

Trailer

Black Sheep Season 8 is just around the corner with a whole new cast of controversial, villainous, or simply misunderstood figures from New Zealand history.

Image of black sheep with red eyes and long horns with the text 'Black' in the colour black and 'Sheep' in the colour red underneath, with the words 'Season 8' in a red banner on a diagonal from the sheep to the edge of the image.

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Black Sheep

Follow this podcast

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 1)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 1)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 2)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 2)

Anzac Massacre: the story of Surafend (Part 3)