William Ray

The last of the so-called ‘lunatic asylums’ closed only 20 years ago. They were founded on ideas of paternalism and social progress and survived on the basis they offered safety. In this special… Audio

The last of the so-called ‘lunatic asylums’ closed only 20 years ago. They were founded on ideas of paternalism and social progress and survived on the basis they offered safety. In this special… Audio

The summer science series kicks off with an episode from award-winning podcast Black Sheep, about a backyard inventor called Victor Penny who sparked sensational headlines about death ray… Audio

This week on Our Changing World RNZ podcast producer, and occasional dinosaur correspondent William Ray visits Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa Dinosaurs of Patagonia, a special exhibition at Te Papa Museum to… Video, Audio

There's a surprising link between Argentina's dinosaurs and Aotearoa. William Ray visits the new Patagonian dinosaur exhibit at Te Papa museum to find out more. Video, Audio

NOTE: This episode has been reuploaded to correct some inaccuracies in the original version. We all know New Zealand was the first country in the world where women could vote. But do you know how we… Video, Audio

Floods in India claimed hundreds of lives this monsoon season, but an Indian expat in New Zealand is hoping his new invention will help bring the toll down. Produced by William Ray. Video, Audio

From the 1840s onward, Frederick Maning would become an increasingly bitter and angry man who demonised Māori who opposed colonisation. So what explains this radical transition from a romantic early… Audio

Frederick Maning was one of the first Europeans to settle in Aotearoa, he married a high-ranking Ngāpuhi woman, and wrote two books filled with romantic anecdotes of his time living alongside Māori… Audio

In the second of a two-part episode on Charles Mackay Black Sheep investigates the mysteries surrounding the Whanganui Mayor's attempted murder of D'Arcy Cresswell - a former soldier who threatened to… Audio

RNZ multi award-winning podcast Black Sheep returns on May 26th with a new cast of mysterious misfits, violent villains and controversial characters.  Audio

This week we're travelling back in time 66 million years ago with producer William Ray, to a time when dinosaurs roamed. Join William as he meets two Tyrannosaurus rex fossils at the Auckland Museum… Audio

Meet Barbara and Peter: Auckland Museum's star pair of Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons. Producer William Ray unearths the fascinating story behind the bones, which hints at the lives of these giant… Audio

On June 17th 1843, a posse of European settlers head to the Wairau Valley - planning to arrest the renowned chief Te Rauparaha and his nephew, Te Rangihaeata. A gun battle breaks out and 26 people are… Audio

Tensions over land at Wairau, and injustices and insults against Ngāti Toa leaders reach their boiling point. Arthur Wakefield, the leader of the Nelson settlement decides to seize the land by force… Audio

The NZ Wars series goes back to the first shots fired... to Wairau in June 1843. The fourth chapter of this landmark podcast is out February 3. Audio

We continue our summer science series with an episode from RNZ's The Aotearoa History Show. In the first episode of season two, the show burrows into the story of rabbits and other pests introduced to… Audio

New Zealand has had some big ambitions in the Pacific and mixed relations with our neighbours. Video, Audio

Why isn’t New Zealand part of Australia? | The Aotearoa History Show | RNZ

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New Zealanders like to think we have a “Number 8 Wire Mentality” - a rough and ready enthusiasm for fixing and building stuff with limited resources.  Video, Audio