The Stolen Children of Aotearoa

A podcast about gang whānau and their journey to speak out about the abuse they experienced as children in Aotearoa’s state-care system.

Physical and sexual abuse, strong language

Hosted by Aaron Smale

A black-and-white collage of headshots of Māori people. The text reads "The Stolen Children of Aotearoa"

Follow this podcast

RSS
Apple PodcastsSpotifyIHeartRadioYouTube Podcasts

Get this podcast straight from the source in the free RNZ app: Apple App Store or Google Play

Podcast details.

Credits

Aaron Smale

Researcher, Writer, & Host
Ruth Korver
Writer & Producer
Bridget Lyon
Editor
Phil Burton
Audio Engineer
Julian Arahanga
Executive Producer
Becs Arahanga
Executive Producer

Thanks to the RNZ team of William Ray, Tim Watkin, Tim Burnell, and Jana Te Nahu Owen, and acknowledging the originating Commissioner, Kay Ellmers.

Video Documentary Streaming Now on MĀORI+

Made with the support of

Logo reads "Irirangi Te Motu, NZ On Air"

Made with the support of

Logo reads "Te Māngai Pāho"
https://www.tmp.govt.nz

Created in partnership with

Whakaata Māori

Awards

Spotify

Breakout Kiwi Creators for 2025

Spotify

Best Docos of 2025

Get in touch

Email us at: podcasts@rnz.co.nz

Other podcasts
like this one

More podcasts with similar themes or ideas that you might enjoy.

  • A podcast cover with a bright blue background, featuring vintage vinyl records with a scratched-out song (physically scratched on the vinyl surface) and scratched-out labels, and the title Not for Broadcast.

    Not For Broadcast

    Exclusive

    Not For Broadcast tells the story of New Zealand’s banned songs.

  • Witi Ihimaera looks up. Behind him and going over his shoulders is a graphic of water. Centered at the bottom is text that reads: "Witi Underwater."

    Witi Underwater

    Witi Ihimaera throws himself into a full-immersion Māori language course.

  • Image of Kura Turuwhenua, Brett Graham and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku smiling with te reo Maori word "Tukua" in neon blue behind them.

    TUKUA

    Exploring an intergenerational response to arts and cultural events.

  • Black and white grainy image of Ross Appelgren (left hand side) and Darcy Te Hira (right handside) with their faces partially obscured by the end of the image. Prison bars appear behind then, with the word 'Nark' in all caps in white with a black strip behind the words.

    Nark

    Featured in Spotify Charts for Best True Crime of 2025