The Agency

RNZ Originals
  • 4.8 (4)
  • HISTORY
  • SEMI-WEEKLY SERIES

A Kiwi working for CIA describes the operation he ran against Russian military intelligence at the height of the Cold War.

Season 1

  1. EPISODE 1

    NOC, NOC

    Kit Bennetts, a young officer with New Zealand's SIS, is recruited into the CIA. Former NZSIS Minister Andrew Little says New Zealand's involvement with American intelligence agencies is still tight today. This episode touches on Kit Bennetts's part in the Bill Sutch case. It mentions 'pen portraits' of senior civil servants that were found in Sutch's safe. You can see this document, as well as an analysis by historian Sarah Gaitanos, online on the RNZ website here: What to make of new evidence in the notorious Bill Sutch spy case You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    47 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Quiet Americans

    From CIA training in Washington to the diplomatic round in Wellington, Kit Bennetts' target comes into focus. CIA historian Tim Weiner says the Agency is no rogue elephant - it is acting under orders from the President. To see some of the pictures of Kit Bennetts mentioned in this, and other episodes, have a look at this piece on the RNZ website. You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    52 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Guerrilla in Manila

    An operation against the GRU, Soviet Military Intelligence, means getting right up close to a Russian. Former CIA Counterintelligence Chief Susan Miller talks us through recruitment processes and shows how CIA, the US Military, State Department and the White House work closely together on political warfare. You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    50 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Arranging the Truth

    A CIA colleague, running a similar operation, is killed. Kit Bennetts has to decide whether he should carry on with his dead end technology play. Former Soviet diplomat Rouben Azizian says we may be at the beginning of World War Three. You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    50 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Treachery

    Traitors inside American intelligence agencies have sold the lives of agents to the enemy. "Vladimir" might have suffered the same fate. Susan Miller says when it comes to trusting President Trump, New Zealand needs to think carefully. In this episode, there is mention of notes from a two hour meeting that Oleg Gordievsky held with Prime Minister David Lange on August 27, 1986. The notes are online to view here The episode also mentions an example of the Presidential Daily Briefing from January 18, 1961, which you can view here You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    58 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Price of Freedom

    Decades after his time with CIA, Kit Bennetts says there's always been a less visible side to our relationship with the US - but now we have to understand what that looks like. The Five Eyes will have to start making good choices - for everyone. You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    54 min

  7. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing: The Agency

    A Kiwi working for CIA describes the operation he ran against Russian military intelligence at the height of the Cold War. Hosted, written and produced by Guyon Espiner from RNZ and John Daniell from Bird of Paradise Productions. You can also listen to The Service, from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A Kiwi working for CIA describes the operation he ran against Russian military intelligence at the height of the Cold War.

Information

  • Channel
    RNZ Originals
  • Creator
    RNZ
  • Episodes
    7
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) Radio New Zealand 2026
  • Show Website
    The Agency

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