
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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 77 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

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
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
“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
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
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Have really enjoyed this podcast, have binged listened for the last couple of weeks or so. Highly recommend!
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).
I thoroughly enjoy Black Sheep and recommend the show to all thinking New Zealanders.
Thanks from London
Still after years, this is my most favourite podcast. It’s so evocative- it puts me right in the middle of the story.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #207 | |
Apple Podcasts | #30 | |
Apple Podcasts | #207 | |
Apple Podcasts | #211 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Black Sheep:
1. The Detail
2. Gone By Lunchtime
3. Mediawatch
4. DELVE
5. Motive: The Lost
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.
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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
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