Two men in conversation sit opposite each other in a recording studio.

Logo that reads "Context"

44m

Guyon Espiner & Corin Dann explore the backstory to today’s front page, diving into NZ’s political past and asking, "How did we get here?" But there's a twist: one knows the topic, the other doesn’t.

Hosted by Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner

4 episodes

Booze, Bans & Backlash

Why is alcohol reform such a political minefield? With new reforms on the table, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace liquor laws back through history — from the 6 o’clock swill to Muldoon’s drunken election call and the Black Budget.
Season 1/Episode 4
44m

Parliament's Rules

Inside Parliament’s Rulebook: Why can’t MPs call each other liars? And which MP was kicked out for sarcasm? In this episode, Guyon and Corin trace 175 years of standing orders, Speaker’s rulings, and legendary one-liners. that shaped NZ’s democracy.
Season 1/Episode 3
46m

Spies, Allies, and the FBI

From Kash Patel’s surprise visit to Kim Dotcom’s infamous raid, our relationship with the FBI and America has been anything but simple. We uncover how NZ has balanced alliances, espionage, and independence and why it matters now more than ever.
Season 1/Episode 2
39m

The Brain Drain Backstory

Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner dig into New Zealand’s decades-long “brain drain” to Australia. From Muldoon’s famous one-liner to John Key’s stadium stunt, this is the surprising backstory of the great Kiwi exodus.
Season 1/Episode 1
43m

More like this

  • Back to Timor

    Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?
    Back to Timor/Film
    43m

  • Documentary

    After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.
    1984/Film
    1h 4m

  • Geoffrey Palmer

    Guyon Espiner talks to five former NZ Prime Ministers, starting with reforming lawmaker Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who became our 33rd PM in 1989.
    The 9th Floor/Episode 1
    60m

  • Documentary

    I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.
    I Am a Dark River/Film
    1h 10m

  • Fly Like a Moa

    Kauri isn't allowed to go rock-climbing with Lani. Kauri meets a moa and learns that everyone has different strengths.
    What Will I Be Today?/Season 1/Episode 1
    5m

  • The Rise and Fall

    Isabella Moore’s career soared with body positivity, but fashion’s return to thinness now threatens everything she’s fought for as a Samoan-Kiwi curve model.
    Cutting the Curve (New)/Episode 1
    10m

  • Documentary

    Joy, Full & Fearless follows the trauma and triumph of Joy Cowley's astonishing life as New Zealand's prolific, widely published and celebrated author of children's fiction. Available in NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
    Joy, Full & Fearless (New)/Film
    56m

  • Melissa Chan-Green | Til Death

    Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.
    re_covering (New)/Season 5/Episode 8
    57m

  • We Look Down on Them

    Meet Tūī, Pūkeko, Kererū, and Pīwakawaka: four chatty birds who love to people-watch. They can't believe the absurdity of these modern-day humans.
    Bird's Eye View/Episode 1
    5m

  • Metiria Turei

    Did Metiria Turei mean to turn the 2017 election on its head? Earlier that year, the former Green Party co-leader made an admission that would upend their entire campaign.
    Matangireia/Season 1/Episode 1
    45m

  • Ranginui Walker: Reclaiming Māori Education

    Starting off with a bang, the team dissect Ranginui Walker's chapter of the renowned book Decolonisation in Aotearoa. The team has a go at translating a bit of Reclaiming Māori Education -- check in to hear if it's an A+ pass or not.
    Whakamāori (New Series Coming Soon)/Season 1/Episode 1
    36m

  • Can te reo Māori withstand the political headwinds? An interview with Taura Whiri i Te Reo Chair Professor Rawinia Higgins

    The fight for te reo Māori has entered a new phase. From school books and government agencies to eacher training and even passports, the place of te reo is under intense scrutiny. In this episode of Mata, Te Taura Whiri Māori Language Commission chair Professor Rawinia Higgins joins Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira to discuss the future of Aotearoa's first language.
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes/Season 3/Episode 17
    39m

  • Te Hekenga

    As the Native Land Court reshapes Aotearoa, Hector’s world unravels. Bound by whakapapa, he fights to protect his son’s future—while Māori sovereignty slips through Crown hands.
    Stolen Lands (New Season)/Season 2/Episode 5
    21m

  • Bondi Babes

    Soph's first flight to Sydney leads her to Bondi Beach post-accident, where sand and wheelchairs clash. With the help of lifeguards, she discovers how accessible the beach can be!
    This Is Wheel Life (New Season)/Season 2/Episode 7
    14m

  • Chris Hipkins

    Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins discusses yoga, the impact of all the sausage rolls, and cost of living while boldly managing to bake a lasagne in 75 minutes.
    Grilled with Charlotte Cook/Episode 1
    12m

  • Part 1 (2024)

    Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.
    Ruamata: It's More Than Hockey/Film
    1h 0m

  • Chelsea Winstanley: Overcoming trauma and coming out on top

    Oscar-nominated film producer Chelsea Winstanley talks to Anika about overcoming trauma, taking risks, and coming out on top.
    It's Personal with Anika Moa/Season 1/Episode 1
    47m

  • Kenneth Roth

    Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane?
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 3/Episode 13
    32m

  • The Political "Cost" - Tim Costley

    In the final episode of Ngā Porokate, we head back to the ahi and sit down with National MP for Kāpiti, Tim Costley. Our kōrero dives into his whakaaro on the coalition government, the cost of living, co-governance, and whether he'll be standing again in the 2026 election. A straight-up, no-frills conversation on politics, perspectives, and the future direction of our communities.
    Hori on a Hīkoi (New Episode)/Episode 10
    25m

  • Lau Yuet Seen

    It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong.
    Farewell Guangdong/Episode 1
    22m

  • Overview

    We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi—Aotearoa's founding document—and how it's shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickards sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context.
    Treaty Talks/Episode 1
    46m

  • Inspiration to Write

    Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.
    Shine On Katherine Mansfield/Episode 1
    7m

  • Main Feature

    From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.
    The Haka Party Incident/Film
    1h 28m

Video section home

Browse all
A man operating a cannon, theres smoke coming out of it and a man next to it holding his hands over his ears. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara".
A person sitting on a hill looking out onto an inlet. The image is take from behind the person. Text reads, "Inside Outside". There is an overlay of a recording boarder along the perimeter of the image.
A Little Blue Penguin sits in a rocky landscape. Text reads "Kororā, little blue penguin".
Misty Frequency's mask sits by other masks on a shelf in a dressing room. The text reads "What's the Disability-Tea"
Text reads, "House Talk" on a white brick wall background.
A birds'-eye view of some military items sitting scattered on a desk, including a map, a hat, playing cards, and a couple of coins. The text in the middle reads "Back to Timor."
Person on purple background resting their head in their hand. Only their head and chest is visible. Purple text along bottom of image reads, "AMPLIFIED".
Black and white faces of Helen Clark, Dame Jenny Shipley, Jim Bolger Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore, with the words 'The 9th Floor' underneath them. The background of the image is black.
A woman sitting on a chair next to a desk and coffee table. She's smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Aotearoa's Most Bizarre Conspiracies".
Three figures from different original images have been edited so that they're all standing next to each other and are of varying sizes. All three people are in the midst of performing. The background in a flat bright red colour. Text in the style of graffiti reads, "The Collective". A spray painted illustration of a crown appears above the 'e' in 'Collective'.
A man is wearing a suit and tie and smiling at the camera with his head slightly tilted to the left. He has a thick moustache, behind him the room is dark but seems to be an office. Text reads, "The Citizen's Handbook" in light pink.
People standing in a forest clearing, backlit by the sun. They are all wearing traditional Māori dress. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui".
The silhouette of a man against a sun either rising or setting, the sky is mostly green with a thin bank of orange light along the horizon. Text reads, "Meng".
A group of people performing a haka outside amongst the trees. The person at the front is in focus and doing a pukana. Text reads, "NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka".
Two men face the camera with serious but open expressions. Text reads "Context, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner"
The back of a woman walking down a path, she's wearing white pants and a silver shiny top with silver tassels coming off the back and arms. Her arms are outstretched. Text reads, "Inside Splore".
A Muslim man in a blue shirt stands in a mosque. The text reads "This Is Us"
A sepia toned photograph laying on a table. The photograph is of a man looking over his shoulder at the camera, he is wearing headphones and sitting in from of a switch board. Text reads, "Coast Watchers Operation Pacific".
A graphic of four birds hanging over an adult man's head. In the middle, the text reads: "Bird's Eye View."
The back of someone looking up at a big red firework exploding in the night sky. Text reads, "Giants Giants Giants". The last "Giants" fades into the background.
An animated graphic of green trees and leaves in a forest, along with a red flower. The text in front reads "What Will I Be Today?"
Text reads, "Matangireia with Morgan Godfery". Background is beige with an out of focus letter M in fancy script.
A hillside is draped with a large Māori flag, on the ridge line stands a single figure and another Māori flag. Text in a painted font reads "Ake Ake Ake"
A sharp yellow pencil is placed in the center of a tile with a light grey background. The title 'Recovering' is above the pencil, with an underscore after 'Re'.