More than 50 years later, LRDG veteran Ian Judge’s memories of the ill-fated campaign in the Greek Islands emphasize the real life impact of political decisions. New Zealand SAS acknowledge the legacy of the LRDG and former Defence Minister Judith Collins reveals the impact of New Zealand special forces units today. 

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German commander Erwin Rommel seems to have the upper hand, pushing the Allies back into Egypt. But the LRDG – often working hand in hand with the SAS – help strike a series of crucial blows.

SHORT FILM
Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

Made with support from NZ On Air

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A successful operation deep in Italian territory brings the LRDG and Free French forces in Chad together. Getting home is tricky though – a man from Taihape makes an extraordinary barefoot journey over hundreds of miles in the desert.

SHORT FILM
Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

Made with support from NZ On Air

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cairo, July 1940: British desert explorer Ralph Bagnold sets up a unit to raid and gather intelligence behind enemy lines. Ninety New Zealand soldiers from farming and mechanical backgrounds are selected to serve under four British officers.

SHORT FILM
Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

Made with support from NZ On Air

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the manhunt, the police investigation, the political back and forth, and the 'trial of the century', the big questions remain - who was really responsible for bombing the Rainbow Warrior and how did it change New Zealand?

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the biggest trial NZ has ever seen approaches, the fallout from the bombing comes to a head for French politicians, spies are betrayed, tensions ramp up between leaders, and Kiwi police head to enemy territory in their hunt for evidence.

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legacy of French nuclear testing in the Pacific goes well beyond the Rainbow Warrior. In Tahiti, we explore the lasting impacts of the testing programme on the people who had to live with it and reveal what the French government didn’t want Greenpeace- or rest of the world- to see. 

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Mafart and Prieur in custody, NZ Police turn their attention towards finding the rest of the crew, but politics come into play as French lies mount up.  

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police investigation into the bombing turns into the biggest manhunt in New Zealand history, while the French duo at the centre of the investigations attempt to evade capture. And they aren’t the only team of French secret agents in the spotlight. 

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shortly after midnight on July 10th 1985, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour. The man who bombed the Rainbow Warrior reveals why they did it, and why no one was meant to die. As the sun rises over New Zealand, the police investigation gets underway and the public and political fallout begins.

Written, presented and produced by: John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy
Sound design and mix: Marc Chesterman 
Researchers: Claire Logan and Caroline Fontaine
Execuive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon
Music: Harbour Board, Marc Chesterman, Peter O’ Donoghue

For photos and videos related to the story, go to nzherald.co.nz/rainbowwarrior

Thanks to Dominique Prieur and Jean Marie Pontaut, authors of Secret Agent, published and copyrighted by the Librairie Arthème Fayard, 1995

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.