Context

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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.

OCT 22

The Great NZ Sell-Off

From Telecom to Air New Zealand, the BNZ to our power companies why did governments sell our state assets, and what did we get in return? Now the Government is eyeing a sale of its Chorus debt. Join Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann as they look back at four decades of selling the family silver. 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. 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

43 min
OCT 15

Pension Wars: The NZ Super Promise That Changed Politics

It's the third rail of New Zealand politics: Touch it and you die. From Richard Seddon's groundbreaking old-age pension, to Rob Muldoon's Dancing Cossacks to, Jim Bolger's "No ifs, no buts, no maybes" Corin and Guyon trace the history of New Zealand Superannuation. 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. 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

41 min
OCT 8

How MMP changed politics

New Zealand’s MMP voting system promised fairness and diversity — but has it delivered? In this episode of Context, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann look back at how MMP came to be, from a slip-up by David Lange in the 1980s to Winston Peters’ rise as kingmaker, and now Christopher Luxon’s challenge of managing a three-party government. 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. 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

42 min
OCT 1

Behind the picket lines

From the Cook Strait ferry strikes to the fiery union battles of the 1970s, New Zealand’s history is written in industrial action. Now, as nurses, teachers and doctors walk off the job, what lessons can we draw from a century of strikes? 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. 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

45 min
SEP 24

The Wild History of Inflation in NZ

From Muldoon’s Price Freeze to Today’s Cost of Living Crisis. Corin and Guyon look back to a time when the PM set the price of milk and froze wages on a whim. Plus, how the NZ reserve bank launched a groundbreaking new monetary policy, which changed how countries controlled inflation for good. 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. 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

31 min
SEP 17

NZ's United Nations History

As Winston Peters heads to the UN, Context looks back at how NZ has shaped the world stage — from Peter Fraser at its founding to peacekeepers in Korea and Timor, and a fiery clash with Israel. 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. 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

45 min
SEP 10

Booze, Bans & Backlash

Why is alcohol reform such a political minefield in New Zealand? With new reforms on the table, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace liquor laws back through a century of history; from the 6 o’clock swill and failed prohibition votes, to Muldoon’s drunken election call and the Black Budget. 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. 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

45 min
SEP 3

Parliament's Rules

Inside Parliament’s Rulebook: Why can’t MPs call each other liars? Why do Speakers wield so much power? And which MP was kicked out just for sarcasm? In this episode, Guyon and Corin trace 175 years of standing orders, Speaker’s rulings, and legendary political one-liners that have shaped New Zealand’s democracy. 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. 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

46 min
AUG 27

Spies, Allies, and the FBI

From Kash Patel’s surprise visit to Kim Dotcom’s infamous raid, New Zealand’s relationship with the FBI and America has been anything but simple. In this episode, Guyon and Corin uncover how NZ has balanced alliances, espionage, and independence — and why it matters now more than ever. 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. 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

40 min
AUG 20

The Brain Drain Backstory

From quips about "raising the IQ of both countries", to gold fever and neoliberal reform, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner dig through the history of the "brain drain" Watch the video version of the episode here. Read more about this history in this episode on the RNZ website here. Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. 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

43 min
AUG 15

Introducing: Context

RNZ's Guyon Espiner and 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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

1 min

TRAILER

Introducing: Context

RNZ's Guyon Espiner and 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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Aug 15

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1 min