15 episodes
The Commune Stuff
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- True Crime
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4.8 • 18 Ratings
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A 12-part documentary podcast about the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit.
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01: Open Day
A free-love commune called Centrepoint springs up in the suburbs of 1970s New Zealand, devoted in equal measure to sex, group therapy, and its guru Bert Potter. What could possibly go wrong?
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02: Awkward Buggers
Locals are fascinated by the sights and sounds of the sex commune next door. Founding members recall the optimism and excitement of Centrepoint’s early years – and the bizarre circumstances that led to the community’s first death.
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03: The Girl on the Lawn
Who the hell was Bert? How Centrepoint’s leader went from buttoned-up businessman to morally transgressive guru. Meanwhile Barri and “Robert” are each witness to moments that reveal the darkness lurking inside the Centrepoint dream.
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04: Under the Carpet
Barri and “Robert” are haunted by the ugly truth about their commune, but they respond differently. Plus: a quick history of communes in Aotearoa, and the complex social forces that made Centrepoint possible.
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05: Invaders
The ever-expanding Centrepoint commune goes to war: with its fed-up neighbours, with the local council and, thanks to Robert’s decision to speak out, the New Zealand Police.
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06: The Centrepoint Kids
It’s the 1980s, and Centrepoint’s on a roll. Bert is investing in the booming stock market; and the head-count keeps rising. But some of the new arrivals at the commune have wild stories to tell.
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Customer Reviews
Excellent podcast
Very well produced and narrated. Listened to it while painting a nursery and thought how different childhoods can be depending on where you’re born and how you’re bred.
Amazing
One of the best podcasts I’ve listened to, an unbelievable story, very well told. A must listen
Chilling content, extremely well put together.
The subject is sometimes hard listening but intriguing nevertheless.
The Stuff team piece it together so expertly with near perfect production values.
I’m from Ireland so some of the Kiwi references went over my head but Adam is so diligent in framing the context and delivering it in a completely non patronizing way.
I really enjoyed this podcast and would recommend to anyone.