
History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast
In this “unashamedly homegrown” podcast we tell the story of our islands from the time before people arrived all the way up to the year 2000. Winner of the bronze award for Best Indie Podcast in the NZ Podcast Awards 2021, Silver for Best Educational and Best Indie in 2022 and Silver for Best History in 2023 and 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Nov 17, 2023 • 28min
124 - The Element of Surprise
We discuss how pā, fortified settlements, were captured during military campaigns, in particular how surprise and deception played a huge part in Māori warfare.Check out the website and shownotes!Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 3, 2023 • 43min
123 Part 1 - My Bird of the Century 2023
It's that time of year again! The Forest and Bird competition to see who is Aotearoa's Bird of the Year is back on! Every year I pick a native or endemic bird to talk about to teach you about some of the weird and wonderful birds we have.This year it is extra special because Forest and Bird turn 100 years old this year and to celebrate they have added new contenders into the election that are extinct! So I've chosen two to talk about along with my ecologist partner Lily. This episode we talk about the Bush Wren!Check out the website and shownotes!You can vote in the Bird of the Year here!The book Lily referenced but couldn't remember the name of was Bird Sense: What It's Like to Be a Bird by Tim BirkheadBecome a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 3, 2023 • 45min
123 Part 2 - My Bird of the Century 2023
It's that time of year again! The Forest and Bird competition to see who is Aotearoa's Bird of the Year is back on! Every year I pick a native or endemic bird to talk about to teach you about some of the weird and wonderful birds we have.This year it is extra special because Forest and Bird turn 100 years old this year and to celebrate they have added new contenders into the election that are extinct! So I've chosen two to talk about along with ecologist partner Lily. This episode we talk about the Laughing Owl!Check out the website and shownotes!You can vote in the Bird of the Year here!Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 28, 2023 • 4min
Request for Questions!
I'm going to be doing a Q+A episode at the end of the year to answer any burning questions you may have about any topics we have covered over the last five years! I want to be able to fill any gaps that you have been wondering about but to do a Q+A episode, I need your Qs! So please send me your questions to historyaotearoa@gmail.com. Thanks in advance! :D Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 20, 2023 • 33min
122 - The Field of Battle
Today we will continue on the journey to battle looking at the strategies Māori employed and how they engaged in battle.Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 6, 2023 • 35min
121 - Lighting the Beacons
We start to look at the process of how Māori went to war, firstly with how they prepared and then go on the journey with them as they gather allies and begin to march.Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 22, 2023 • 58min
120 - Te Rā with the Early Māori Textiles Team
A very exciting interview with the team that brought home the only known pre-European Māori sail from the British Muesum. We talk about not just Te Rā herself but also the process of talking to the British Museum and organising the exhibition along with the responses from the New Zealand public.You can see Te Rā in the Christchurch Art Gallery until October 2023 at which point she will be moved to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for the forseeable future.Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2023 • 57min
119 - Waka Taua
The waka taua, war canoes, are one of the most enduring symbols of power and prestige from pre-European Aotearoa. Today is an extra long episode where we discuss their construction, symbolism and use!Click here to listen to the Whatshername Podcast discussing Te Puea Herangi!Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 25, 2023 • 27min
118 - Fortress
We discuss a part of Māori warfare that was so important that when it arrived on the scene it forever changed the way Māori waged war, dominating the military and even physical landscape well into the 19th century. The pā, or fort.Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 24, 2023 • 28min
117 - It’s How You Use It
Following on from the previous episode, we discuss some more Māori weapons. We cover some for the rangatira, like tewhatewha, and some that were more for the common folk, including the most feared weapon of all.Become a Patron!Buy some merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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