NZ On Air 30th Birthday - The New Zealand Wars

Documentary series The New Zealand Wars reframed Kiwi history. Researched and presented by historian James Belich, it examined armed conflict between Māori and Pākehā. The show gripped the country when it screened in 1998— including Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy. In this video celebrating NZ On Air's 30th birthday, she recalls how the show changed her perception: "I thought I knew New Zealand history, and I didn't." Director Tainui Stephens talks about how the series provided a Māori perspective mixed with "intellectual Pākehā rigour" and "a lot of aroha".

...it really changed my perception of a whole range of things about New Zealand, and I realised I thought I knew New Zealand history — and I didn’t.

– Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy on series The New Zealand Wars

Key Cast & Crew

Tainui Stephens

Director - The NZ Wars

Zara Potts

Director, Interviewer

Stephanie Hopkins

Producer

Kathryn Quirk

Producer

Paul Sutorius

Editor

Michelle Turner

Production Manager