From the battlefields of Crete to the panic of Marmageddon, this episode looks at how New Zealanders have faced some of their darkest, proudest, and oddest moments. We hear voices from VJ Day celebrations, soldiers dreaming of roast lamb from thousands of miles away, and grieving through disasters like Tangiwai, Wahine, and Erebus.

Archival audio in this series is from the RNZ collection at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

There are moments of national outrage, moral panics, and protest batons. Through tragedy and triumph, protest and panic, Kiwis have met the moment with resilience, resourcefulness, and the occasional ridiculous headline. These stories reveal not just how Aotearoa has changed, but the values we keep coming back to; fairness, connection, and a good feed.

Guests:

• John Campbell
  Veteran journalist and broadcaster, acclaimed for his compassionate storytelling and in-depth reporting across radio and television, including his leadership on Campbell Live.
• Nigel Roberts
  Professor of Political Science from Victoria Universityknown for helping shape New Zealand’s transition to MMP and for documenting history as the photographer of the Erebus crash site.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details