Context

4.9 (45)
News
Updated Weekly

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.

12 hrs ago

The Rise and Fall of Minor Parties

As the Opportunity Party climbs above the crucial 5% threshold,, Context looks back at New Zealand's minor parties. From kingmakers and coalition partners to spectacular failures, who made it into Parliament and who fell short? Season 3 Episode 6 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
26 Aug

Property Nation: NZ's Housing Obsession

Today's housing downturn has decades of booms and busts behind it. Context explores how governments, investors and global shocks helped turn New Zealand into a country where property became both a home and an obsession. Season 3 Episode 5 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
19 Aug

Winston Peters' Foreign Policy Fallout

A controversial remark in Parliament becomes the starting point for a deeper story. From Chinese gold miners and the poll tax to free trade and modern geopolitical tensions, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace the history of one of New Zealand's most important relationships Season 3 Episode 4 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
12 Aug

Who Gets Saved? The History of Government Bailouts

National is spending millions to bail out Golden Bay Cement. But when Watties and Heinz faced closure, the Government turned its back. So why do some companies get rescued while others are left to fail? A look back at the history of bailouts, who gets saved and who doesn't? Season 3 Episode 3 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
5 Aug

The Tax New Zealand Won't Touch

New Zealand is the only country in the OECD without wealth tax - so why are we so afraid to tax the rich? The This week, Context looks back on the wealth taxes we had, why we got rid of them and whether this Election will see the tables turn. Season 3 Episode 2 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
29 July

NZ's GE Wars

Genetic engineering has sparked protests, divided governments and resulted in one of the most famous interviews in NZ history. As Parliament once again looks at our GE laws, Context looks back at the political storm that never really ended. Season 3 Episode 1 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. In 2002, allegations of a government cover-up over genetically modified corn exploded into one of New Zealand's biggest political scandals. Nicky Hager's Seeds of Distrust landed in the middle of an election campaign. Helen Clark accused John Campbell of ambushing her in an interview that became the stuff of broadcasting legend. Protesters filled Queen Street, politicians turned on each other, and the debate over genetic engineering became one of the most divisive issues of the era.More than two decades later, the Government is once again trying to change New Zealand's genetic engineering laws. But why are they still among the strictest in the world? How much of the fear was about the science and how much was about trust, politics and the power of the media?This week on Context, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner revisit the story behind Corngate, unpack the ethics of one of New Zealand's most controversial political interviews, and explore why a debate that began more than 25 years ago is still shaping our politics today. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
15 Apr

Sin and Scandals: When the Personal becomes Political

Labour leader Chris Hipkins cries in response to a social media post by his ex-wife. Should we be listening? We chart the history of political scandals from the Profumo Affair through to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Season 2 Episode 6 Watch the video version of the episode here Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Political scandals from the Profumo Affair through to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky – how has journalistic reporting on this thorny issue evolved and how much do we really need to hear about the private lives of our political leaders? Labour leader Chris Hipkins cries in response to a social media post by his ex-wife. Is that something we need to know about? What about Shane Jones watching blue movies and putting it on his ministerial credit card? Are we bothered about Meteria Turei's benefit claiming history? How about the sexual preferences of Michael Joseph Savage? Is it in the public interest or are the public just interested? Where should reporters draw the line expecially when social media breaks the story? Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to context@rnz.co.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
8 Apr

NZ's Royal Problem: The Power of the Crown

After Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest for his links to Epstein, questions arise about his place in the line of succession. We explore how New Zealand remains tied to the Crown and why changing it is more complex than it seems. Season 2 Episode 5 Watch the video version of the episode here. Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. As scandal surrounds Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, attention has turned to his place in the royal line of succession in New Zealand. In this episode of Context, we explore how New Zealand remains tied to the Crown and why changing it is more complex than it seems. Here’s the catch: if the UK moves to remove him, countries like New Zealand would need to pass their own laws to match it. So what does that actually mean? And if New Zealand became a republic what would have to change? Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner trace the long evolution of our system from the Treaty of Waitangi, through dominion status and the Constitution Act 1986, to the modern role of the Governor-General. Along the way: Why NZ has a legal say in the line of succession What would replace the monarch as head of state And what happens to agreements made with the Crown Could New Zealand walk away from the monarchy and what would we be walking into? Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to context@rnz.co.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

See All (24)

4.9

out of 5

45 Ratings

Simon Drought

19 Aug

Simon sauce

Insightful
Enjoyable listen

26/10/2025

O pickled lion

I’ve been enjoying listening to this, it does what it says on the tin. I was born in 92 and this has given me some insight into where we are in New Zealand today. Thanks for making some of the bigger economic subjects easier to understand for those of us that dropped out early 😊 wish we could go back to 1980 and make difference choices
The dream pub or party conversation

26/09/2025

IPunk4567899

Love the format of this - it’s like you’ve ended up eves dropping on a well informed, fascinating conversation at the pub or a party.
A dismal reflection

01/10/2025

ScrapMusic101

That this pair of clowns can be described as ‘journalists’ mostly illustrates how low this profession has shrunk in NZ. Dann spends most of his time acting as a right-wing press secretary. Speaking truth to power. No, he’s far too busy licking their boots (to put it politely.) leading to speculation that he’s aiming for a nice safe seat as well-paid lobby fodder. The presenters would like the audience to think of them as the modern incarnation of Woodward and Bernstein, in reality they wouldn’t be qualified to sharpen their pencils or empty their rubbish bins. That Radio NZ is paying for this rubbish is a graphic demonstration of the paucity of talent available. Favourable assessments? Perhaps immediate family or friends.

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.