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

Logo that reads "Context"

43m

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

Series details.

Credits

Corin Dann
Host
Guyon Espiner
Host
Miranda Fisher
Producer
William Ray
Producer
Briana Juretich-Greig
Production Coordinator
Corey Fuimaono
Audio and Video Editor
Tim Watkin
Executive Producer

Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

Get in touch

Email us at: context@rnz.co.nz

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

  • Trailer

    In an era of diet drugs and shrinking ideals, curve and plus-size women fight to be seen. This is a bold docuseries on fashion, power, and visibility.
    Cutting the Curve (Monday, 25 August)/
    1m

  • Amanda Gillies | An Angel in Te Kuiti

    Amanda Gillies was on the way to an interview when she got a call confirming Newshub’s closure. Despite the shock, she continued on – and in the telling of a brave Te Kūiti amputee’s story was reminded what had first drawn her to journalism.
    re_covering (New)/Season 5/Episode 6
    49m

  • 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

  • Tāmaki-Makau-Rua: Peeni Henare and Oriini Kaipara on the battle for Tāmaki Makaurau

    As voters head to the poll for the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection, Labour’s Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara join Mihingārangi to discuss the issues facing whānau in the biggest Polynesian city in the world. From housing to health to te reo Māori, he wānanga kei te haere.
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes (New Episode)/Season 3/Episode 16
    27m

  • 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

  • Swipe Right or Sit Tight?

    Speed dating? Why not. Soph & Indy dive into the flirty chaos to see if love can spark in five minutes. The quest for romance continues, and things are about to get interesting.
    This Is Wheel Life (New Season)/Season 2/Episode 5
    11m

  • 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

  • "Why? Tangi Be Happy" – Eru Kapa-Kingi

    We speak with Eru "Te Kapa-Kingi o te Norta," a legal academic who was instilled by his parents with a political consciousness and critical perspective on Māori existence as tangata whenua
    Hori on a Hīkoi – Ngā Porokāte /Episode 1
    46m

  • 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 bagpipe band stand in a field ready to perform. The text reads: "12,000 Miles from NZ to the Green."
One young woman sits on another who is in a wheelchair in a zany candid moment. Text reads "This is Wheel Life with Soph and Indy"
A sepia toned image of a family photograph depicting a woman holding the hands of two young children. The photo is deteriorating and the child on the left is almost obscured by the damage. The text reads, "Farewell Guangdong" there are also four Chinese characters, or 'Hanzi', above the text.
A white pick-up truck drives up a winding country road, surrounded by dry New Zealand farmland. The text reads "The Turning Point"
A man standing in front of a mural of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag (Māori flag). Text reads, "Hori on a Hīkoi".
A portrait of a child looking into the camera. On their head is a collection of blue and green strips of ribbon that intertwine with their long braided hair. They are wearing a blue shirt, a jacket and a bow tie. Text reads, "Loading Docs". Beside the text is a simple graphic circle meant to look like a roll of film.
A person on a BMX bike jumping over the camera, silhouetted against a cloudy sky. Text reads, "No Limits".
Two men embracing in a MMA octagon ring. They look sweaty post match. It's dark around them but they are standing in a spotlight. Text reads, "Fighting Chance".
Troy Kingi wearing a traditional red poncho sits in the rocky Californian desert beneath a light blue sky. The text reads "Troy Kingi's Desert Hīkoi"
A school of fish swim together in the ocean. The text reads "Turning the Tide"
An adult person is holding a young child in their arms and hugging them. Text reads, "Blind Bitter Happiness".
A man wearing sunglasses and a tartan hat is looking out to the left. Text reads, "Our Other Islands".
Charlotte Cook leaning on a bench and smiling. Beside her is a stack of cookbooks and a bowl of tomatoes. Text reads, "Grilled, with Charlotte Cook".
A background image made up of red orange and blue shapes. Text reads, "Shine One Katherine Mansfield" in the 'O' is a black and white photograph of Katherine Mansfield's face.
A large mountain capped with snow. Text reads, "Land of the Long White Cloud".
A woman siting on a two person sized couch, she has her arms spread to the sides. She's looking at the camera. Text reads, "I Got You".
A graphic of four birds hanging over an adult man's head. In the middle, the text reads: "Bird's Eye View."
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".
A coastal scene of a land mass with cliffs leading down to a beach and the ocean. Text reads, "My Cyclone Gabrielle, Four Filmmakers Four Views".
Text reads, "Matangireia with Morgan Godfery". Background is beige with an out of focus letter M in fancy script.
A person sitting on a stool, they're looking down. The image has been edited so that there's a strong orange toned light covering the image, obscuring the figures face. The text reads, "The Outliers".
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."
A podcast cover for "The Aotearoa History Show" features the title written in colorful, chalk-like letters on a blackboard background. The words "THE" and "AOTEAROA" are in light blue, "HISTORY" is in pink, and "SHOW" is in green with green chalk lines radiating outwards.
A man wearing a kākahu (clothing garment) and holding a hīrau (waka paddle). Text reads, "Te Kawau ki Tai. The Story of a Waka".