Bob Dylan's New Zealand

Bob Dylan’s New Zealand marks the great songwriter’s 80th birthday with a narrative exploring his connections with New Zealand and an examination of his musical roots.

Written and presented by Andrew McCallum

A podcast cover for "Bob Dylan's NZ" with a picture of Bob Dylan and a blue background.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Part 1

All episodes:

Part 1

Episode 1
Our reading this week marks this and acknowledges the work of the Nobel laureate, arguably one of popular music's greatest living song writers, with an idiosyncratic homage to Dylan from a particular "Kiwi" perspective. The story's genesis is the Dylan concert in Wellington, February 2003, the 1500th of his so called Never Ending Tour, and spirals elliptically off and away before backing round on itself, not unlike a Dylan song.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 22, 2012 US legend Bob Dylan performs on stage during the 21st edition of the Vieilles Charrues music festival in Carhaix-Plouguer, western France.

Part 2

Episode 2
In this the week of Bob Dylan's 80th birthday we dig deeper into his connections with New Zealand, examine his musical roots and hear some great music.
Bob Dylan, 1963

Part 3

Episode 3
Kicking off with the Bob Dylan concert in Wellington, February 2003 and seguing from there through the various line ups he's performed with, the roots of his music and a whole lot more.
Bob Dylan, Karen Dalton, Fred Neil - Greenwich Village

Part 4

Episode 4
We continue our exploration of the work of Bob Dylan and its impact in Aotearoa.
Episode image

Part 5

Episode 5
The final in our series marking Bob Dylan's 80th Birthday and detailing a few incidents from his time in New Zealand.
Bob Dylan