Biography
Simon Gault on food fame, health battles and a passion for flying
He's one of New Zealand's best-known chefs but a new book takes an intimate look at the life of Simon Gault beyond his culinary skills. He's been the driving force behind Bell House, Euro, Jervois… Audio
Lauren Roche from troubled teen stowaway to GP and author
Author Lauren Roche has lived a life of constant reinvention. She was a high school drop out, who stowed away on a ship to the US at the age of 16. After being deported home she turned to prostitution… Audio
NZ Biography: Frances Hodgkins
In today's biography Joanne Drayton joins Jesse to talk about artists Frances Hodgkins. Audio
NZ Biography: Anne Perry
For today's biography section we're talking about one of the main subjects of one of the most infamous and gripping cases in New Zealand history...It's the Parker-Hulme murder case. Audio
NZ Biography: Mabel Howard
More than 50 years after women won the right to vote in New Zealand, we appointed our first woman Cabinet minister. Her name was Mabel Howard. Audio
NZ Biography: Aunt Daisy
Today's biography is about, Maud Ruby Basham, better known as Aunt Daisy. Broadcaster and historian Peter Downes talks about her life and influence. Audio
'Not one more acre': The mana of Dame Whina Cooper
Dame Whina Cooper was considered by many to be the most determined woman in the country for her leadership in bringing to the country's attention the loss of Māori land ownership. Audio, Gallery
NZ Biography: Colin Hogg on Barry Crump
Barry Crump was the original Good Keen Man, the humorous and care-free archetype of the New Zealand bloke. H Audio, Gallery
NZ Biography: Bruce Mason
Bruce Mason was widely regarded as New Zealand's best playwright, known mostly for The Pohutukawa Tree and his solo show The End of the Golden Weather Audio
NZ Biography: Nancy Adams
Our biographer today is cultural and scientific historian Kate Hannah from Auckland University who has recently published a new entry in the New Zealand Dictionary of Biography about New Zealand… Audio
NZ Biography: Joanne Drayton on Hudson & Halls
They chopped, they cooked, they bickered, they drank and camped up our TV screens; a book about Peter Hudson and David Halls has just won an Ockham New Zealand Book Award. Audio
NZ Biography - Leo Bensemann
Leo Bensemann is not a household name in New Zealand, but he played an important role which had a big impact on our arts scene. Audio, Gallery
Inspiring figures: 'Great Lives'
'Great Lives' is a biographical show from the BBC where notable guests choose somebody who's inspired them, and tell host Matthew Parris why. In our featured episode the comedian and TV star Matt… Audio
Biography: Brian Brake
Te Papa's Curator of Photography, Athol McCreedie, is the author of New Zealand Photography Collected, and is here to share his knowledge on the man behind the famous "Monsoon Girl" photo. Audio, Gallery
Dame Annette King - The Authorised Biography
Tasman born and bred Dame Annette King recently retired from a record 35 years in New Zealand politics, having served through 17 Labour and National leaders.She was Deputy Leader of the Labour Party… Audio
Josh Komen: His race to stay alive
Josh Komen was on the verge of representing New Zealand at the next Commonwealth Games when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at 23-years-old. Audio
NZ Biography: The Mighty Totara, Norman Kirk
David Grant talks about former prime minister Norman Kirk. Upon his death on 31 August 1974 his body lay in state near the steps of Parliament. A kaumatua wailed 'the mighty totara has fallen'. Audio
Penny Junor - Royal biographer takes on the Queen's corgis
Penny Junor is a journalist and author who has written several controversial biographies of members of the British royal family. She is the daughter of Sir John Junor, long-standing editor of the… Audio
Philip Temple - The life of Maurice Shadbolt
New Zealand journalist and award-winning author Maurice Shadbolt believed New Zealanders should tell their own stories - and now his story is being told in Life as a Novel: A biography of Maurice… Audio
Craig Heatley - Sky TV Founder and rich-lister
Lower Hutt-born Craig Heatley is one of New Zealand's richest men. He founded Rainbow Corporation in the 1980s which had interests in Woolworths supermarkets, entertainment theme parks including… Audio