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Artwork for Motive: The Lost

Motive: The Lost

RNZ
Ross Appelgren
Darcy Te Hira
Mt Eden Prison
Peter Ellis
Christchurch Civic Creche
New Zealand
Ernie
RNZ
New Zealand Justice System
Kirsa Jensen
Christchurch
Nark
Witness Protection Program
Judy Yorke
Kaitoki Prison
Operation Icing
Court Of Appeal
Drug Trafficking
Miscarriage Of Justice
Gordon

The true stories of New Zealand's missing people. Paloma Migone digs into the cold cases of those who never came home and talks to those still waiting.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes37Founded8 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Motive: The Lost

Latest Episodes

Tracey Donnelly says her husband Jim's disappearance is illogical, and 13 years on, still believes there are answers to be found - in the Glenbrook Steel Mill.

This series was first released on 17 November 2017.

Watch a video segment from the episo... more

YouTube

Shannel Yorke struggles to remember her mother, Judith, who disappeared in 1992, and retired cop Alan Collin talks of his determination to find peace for the family.

This series was first released on 10 November 2017

Watch a video segment from the ... more

YouTube

Paloma Migone digs into the cold cases of those who never came home. In episode one, Robyn Jensen says she'll never give up hope of finding her daughter, Kirsa.

This series was first released on 3 November 2017

Watch a video segment from the episode ... more

YouTube

The true stories of New Zealand's missing people. Paloma Migone digs into the cold cases of those who never came home.

Watch a video version of the trailer here

This series first published in May 2017.

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders go mi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Shannel Yorke
Daughter of Judy Yorke, survivor seeking answers
Family of Judy Yorke
Episode: The Lost 02 | Judith Yorke
Tira Yorke
Judy Yorke's sister
Yorke family
Episode: The Lost 02 | Judith Yorke
Alan Collin
Former Tauranga CID lead on Judy's missing person case, now retired
Tauranga Criminal Investigation Branch
Episode: The Lost 02 | Judith Yorke
Rob Harrison
Peter Ellis' lawyer and advocate for new hearings
Legal counsel
Episode: Conviction 12 | Legacy
Stephen Ferguson
Prison chaplain and friend to Ellis
Parole/prison services
Episode: Conviction 12 | Legacy
Wendy Ball
Christchurch College of Education lecturer
Christchurch College of Education
Episode: Conviction 11 | 2,416 Days
Gay Davidson
Former Civic Creche worker
Civic Creche
Episode: Conviction 08 | 11 Long Weeks
Jan Buckingham
Former Civic Creche worker
Civic Creche
Episode: Conviction 08 | 11 Long Weeks
Marie Keyes
Former Civic Creche worker
Civic Creche
Episode: Conviction 08 | 11 Long Weeks

Hosts

Ali Jones
Host of the program; central figure in Conviction/related seasons; frequently discusses Christchurch Civic Creche case and investigative narratives.
Mike Wesley-Smith
Primary host and writer; anchors episodes, often introducing guests and guiding narrative arcs.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Interesting stories

    Fantastic content, the production reminds me of a high school presentation. So many different voices jumping around it’s hard to keep up with who is saying what. More voice recordings aren’t necessarily better

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    nickname 8977663448272
    Australia2 months ago
  • Fantastic work

    Great podcast, gripping, well made and well voiced including the AI voice - it’s not off putting or out of place like the other reviewer states especially considering the other voice actors used.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Samsam606
    New Zealand7 months ago
  • Alex

    I am from New Zealand

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aaaalleeeeexxxxx
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Listen to this.

    Great yarn, Aotearoa podcasting above its weight. Listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MagpieMedia
    Australia8 months ago
  • Unethical use of AI

    The use of AI voice synthesis is completely unnecessary and ruined the flow and authenticity of the podcast. Use a voice actor, people matter.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dejardnich
    New Zealand8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few critics mention AI voice usage as a negative for authenticity.
Audience praises rigorous, gripping storytelling and strong production quality.
Some listeners in New Zealand feel a strong local relevance and credibility.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#183
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#68
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#84
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nark 07 | Operation Icing
Q: You were told to assure him that he would be looked after after he had given his evidence?
As I said, it's a very bad thing to say. I agree with that. But I have no memory of giving such assurance or giving him any authority to say that.
Nark 07 | Operation Icing
Q: So, I mean, let's just start very generally. What, do you remember the case?
I do not. I have no recollection of anything relating to it. It's 40 years ago.
Nark 03 | Rock Life
Q: Are you innocent?
Ross Appelgren maintained his innocence throughout his life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Motive: The Lost

What is Motive: The Lost about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program presents thorough, investigative storytelling around high-profile cases of alleged child abuse and miscarriage of justice, combining survivor perspectives, expert analysis, and legal scrutiny. Across episodes, the show traces how allegations can evolve into national conversations shaped by media narratives, social mood, and procedural tensions, while interrogating credibility, memory, and the pursuit of truth. It stands out for its long-form, documentarian approach, grounded reporting, and willingness to challenge official narratives, making it a potentially valuable listen for professionals evaluating risk, media strategy, and audience engagement in true-crime storytelling.

Where can I find podcast stats for Motive: The Lost?

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How many listeners does Motive: The Lost get?

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What are the audience demographics for Motive: The Lost?

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How many subscribers and views does Motive: The Lost have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Motive: The Lost has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Motive: The Lost?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Motive: The Lost:

1. The Veil
2. DELVE
3. GUILT
4. Sick to Death
5. Badge of Betrayal

How many episodes of Motive: The Lost are there?

Motive: The Lost launched 8 months ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Motive: The Lost?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Motive: The Lost?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Motive: The Lost from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Motive: The Lost?

Recent guests on Motive: The Lost include:

1. Shannel Yorke
2. Tira Yorke
3. Alan Collin
4. Rob Harrison
5. Stephen Ferguson
6. Wendy Ball
7. Gay Davidson
8. Jan Buckingham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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