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Artwork for Black Sheep

Black Sheep

RNZ
New Zealand
Surafend Massacre
Elspeth Kerr
Anzac Mounted Division
New Zealand History
Māori Culture
Robert Wallath
New Zealand Wars
New Plymouth
Elsden Best
Don Buck
Thomas Kendall
World War I
Eugenics
Wellington
Te Reo Māori
Māori
Mental Health Institutionalization
Surafend
Bill Sutch

The shady, controversial and sometimes downright villainous characters of NZ history. Join William Ray as he explores history through the lens of Kiwi dirtbags in NZ's most awarded podcast.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes77Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Black Sheep

Latest Episodes

Host of Black Sheep William Ray recommends a new RNZ podcast for history fans, NZ Wars Collection - Kohikohinga o nga pakanga o Aotearoa. We’re bringing all our New Zealand Wars stories together in your favourite podcast app, with another chapter on ... more

YouTube

The founding father of West Auckland - Don Buck was notorious in the early 20th century for his hard drinking, hard living gum digging camp in the foothills of the Waitakere ranges. Black Sheep investigates the legend of this enigmatic and feared fol... more

YouTube

“Oh Mummy save me from Dr Gray, because teacher says he’s coming today, and if I’m stupid he’ll take me away”. William Ray looks at the life and legacy of Dr Theodore Gray, a staunch eugenicists who was head of New Zealand's Mental Hospitals Departme... more

YouTube

In part two, we look at the years Elsdon Best spent living in Te Urewera, attempting to preserve knowledge he believed was on the brink of being lost forever, the remarkable relatioship he built with Tūhoe leaders, and how that relationship fell apar... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Bob Harvey
Former West Auckland mayor, unofficial Don Buck fan club president
West Auckland local government
Episode: Original Westie: the story of Don Buck
Marianne Simpkins
Amateur historian, poet, school teacher; wrote Don Buck entry in Dictionary of New Zealand Biography; composed The Ballad of Don Buck's Hill
Independent historian
Episode: Original Westie: the story of Don Buck
Dave Simpkins
Marianne Simpkins' son; brought in Marianne's notes to the interview
Family/Research collaborator
Episode: Original Westie: the story of Don Buck
Dr. Hilary Stace
Disability researcher and advocate
Episode: Defective: the story of Dr Theodore Gray
Dr. Warwick Brunton
Historian who wrote about Dr. Gray for the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Episode: Defective: the story of Dr Theodore Gray
Geoffrey Holman
Author of the biography Best of Both Worlds
Episode: Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 2)
Hema Nawaaka
Produced a documentary on Elsdon Best for Whakata Māori
Episode: Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 2)
Geoffrey Paparoa-Holman
Poet, historian and author of "The Best of Both Worlds"
Episode: Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 1)
Hemana Waaka
Produced a video documentary on Elsdon Best
Episode: Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 1)

Host

William Ray
Host of Black Sheep; producer and storyteller known for deep archival research and provocative historical narratives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Such a good listen

    Have really enjoyed this podcast, have binged listened for the last couple of weeks or so. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    junejan20
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • Flock Yeah!

    William Ray is a masterful storyteller, bringing you face to face with Aotearoa’s most infamous and colourful characters, planting you at the dead centre of their life and legacy. Each season of Black Sheep a new marvellous collection, and every episode a page turner (or minute ticker).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Callum Patty
    New Zealand4 months ago
  • Simply brilliant!

    I thoroughly enjoy Black Sheep and recommend the show to all thinking New Zealanders.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B5PPJ
    New Zealand5 months ago
  • so good

    Thanks from London

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aaaalleeeeexxxxx
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Top podcast

    Still after years, this is my most favourite podcast. It’s so evocative- it puts me right in the middle of the story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    heykuri
    New Zealand5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate nuanced, sometimes challenging takes on controversial figures.
Listeners praise the show's storytelling and archival rigor, calling it a standout NZ history podcast.
Some critics note strong editorial perspective and occasional bias, but many find the discussion thought-provoking and well produced.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#207
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#30
New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts
#207
Switzerland/History
Apple Podcasts
#211
United Arab Emirates/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Original Westie: the story of Don Buck
Q: How did Don Buck's camp function as a community and what made it controversial?
Buck's camp operated as a quasi-legal, labor-based enclave where convicted or down-and-out individuals worked in exchange for shelter and supplies, creating a rough but cohesive social system that stunned outsiders with its generosity at times and its brutality at others.

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 Black Sheep

What is Black Sheep about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A narrative-driven history podcast that focuses on controversial and colorful figures from Aotearoa New Zealand's past. Episodes mix archival storytelling with interviews from local historians, journalists, and cultural observers to illuminate the life, legend, and societal impact of individuals who challenged norms. Listeners often encounter complex portraits that blend sensationalism with critical context, challenging traditional histories and prompting reflection on memory, colonialism, and moral judgment. The show stands out for its brisk storytelling, deep archival research, and willingness to tackle uncomfortable or taboo topics, making it a compelling pick for audiences who enjoy immersive, character-driven history with a provocative... more

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How many listeners does Black Sheep get?

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How many subscribers and views does Black Sheep have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Black Sheep 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 Black Sheep?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Black Sheep:

1. The Detail
2. Gone By Lunchtime
3. Mediawatch
4. DELVE
5. Motive: The Lost

How many episodes of Black Sheep are there?

Black Sheep launched 10 years ago and published 77 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 Black Sheep?

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.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Black Sheep from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Black Sheep?

Recent guests on Black Sheep include:

1. Bob Harvey
2. Marianne Simpkins
3. Dave Simpkins
4. Dr. Hilary Stace
5. Dr. Warwick Brunton
6. Geoffrey Holman
7. Hema Nawaaka
8. Geoffrey Paparoa-Holman

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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