New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster occurred at 10:21pm, Christmas Eve, 1953. We explore the unfortunate series of events that led to Ka 949 plunging into the Whangaehu River, and hear from those there that night about the nightmare they witnessed. Guests: John Mahy Bob Silk Bruce Thompson Jim McAloon  Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster occurred at 10:21pm, Christmas Eve, 1953. We explore the unfortunate series of events that led to Ka 949 plunging into the Whangaehu River, and hear from those there that night about the nightmare they witnessed. Guests: John Mahy Bob Silk Bruce Thompson Jim McAloon Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster occurred at 10:21pm, Christmas Eve, 1953. We explore the unfortunate series of events that led to Ka 949 plunging into the Whangaehu River, and hear from those there that night about the nightmare they witnessed. Guests: John Mahy Bob Silk Bruce Thompson Jim McAloon&nbsp; Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu.&nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Christmas Eve

Each season of A Forgotten History explores a key story from New Zealand's past with fresh perspective on what happened at the time, and the lasting impacts of the moment.
Season 3: Rainbow Warrior&nbsp;
40 years ago, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour. The terror attack and the subsequent fallout changed New Zealand forever.&nbsp;
Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions.&nbsp;
Season 2: Mr Asia
In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark.
As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.&nbsp;
Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions.&nbsp;
Season 1: Tangiwai.
Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy?&nbsp;
Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald.
All seasons made with funding from NZ on Air. Images used in the podcast tiles have been colourised.&nbsp;

Society & Culture

Documentary

History

Each season of A Forgotten History explores a key story from New Zealand's past with fresh perspective on what happened at the time, and the lasting impacts of the moment. Season 3: Rainbow Warrior  40 years ago, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour. The terror attack and the subsequent fallout changed New Zealand forever.  Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions.  Season 2: Mr Asia In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark. As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.  Hosted by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy. Presented by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions.  Season 1: Tangiwai. Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy?  Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald. All seasons made with funding from NZ on Air. Images used in the podcast tiles have been colourised. 

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