The Commune

4.6 (312)
DOCUMENTARY
COMPLETE SERIES

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 ... In 2025, The Commune was chosen as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential.

EPISODE 1

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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

42 min
EPISODE 2

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

57 min
EPISODE 3

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 min
EPISODE 4

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min
EPISODE 5

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

53 min
EPISODE 6

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
EPISODE 7

Cherished Ideas

Barri finds the answer she’s been seeking but what will she do? Nate tries to raise the alarm about a new arrival. And a humiliated Bert tries chemical assistance to regain the love of his followers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

47 min
EPISODE 8

Lying without Lying

Ray is back on the Centrepoint case and he’s determined to arrest Bert. The community hatches a plan to cover up for their guru. Barri tries to make Bert see sense – but is it too late? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 min

See All (13)

TRAILER

Trailer: The Commune

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05/29/2022

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1 min

Adam Dudding

Host

4.6

out of 5

312 Ratings

Excellent

Oct 31

soul24

This podcast is well-written and the delivery of the story is top- notch. I loved that Apple selected it as an essential so I could listen ad-free.
3 maybe 4 episodes stretched into 12

Nov 4

fromtexasbygod

A decades old tale about a cult of low IQ degenerates, deviants, perverts, and child molesters in New Zealand. All in all a really lame anticlimactic podcast that has 3 maybe 4 episodes of content stretched into 12. The final 2 episodes of filler included multiple recorded phone calls to senior citizens refusing to be interviewed. So lame.
Gripping

Oct 31

frupy67

Very well done; fascinating and thought-provoking.
Exceptional

Oct 24

wocka

Wonderfully produced show, very well narrated, compelling.

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 ... In 2025, The Commune was chosen as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential.