# Black Sheep 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. Page: Feed: --- ## [What to Listen to Next: NZ Wars Collection](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=279db35a-64f2-46f1-807e-a60da437966e) _2026-06-02_ 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 the way. Each chapter zeroes in on one of the many wars, battles, and skirmishes that make up what are collectively known as the New Zealand Wars.… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1778040689/audio/nzwtm/nzwtm-20260506-1609-nz_wars_collection_feed_drop.mp3) ## [Original Westie: the story of Don Buck](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=0b4b5ce9-69bd-4916-8deb-e3933b3f1358) _2026-03-05_ 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 folk hero - the original Westie. Watch the video of Marianne Simpkins reading her poem The Ballad of Don Buck's Hill Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1772682449/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260306-0500-black_sheep_-_don_buck-_web_version.mp3) ## [Defective: the story of Dr Theodore Gray](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=2ea85021-6e64-466a-8f8d-353cc9183f5f) _2026-02-26_ “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 Department for 20 years. Further reading: Statement of Hilary Stace to the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care A Brief History of Disability in Aotearoa by Dr… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1771898150/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260227-0500-black_sheep_s9_dr_theodore_gray.mp3) ## [Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 2)](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=d398c394-6924-4c41-93c2-ffd853ee4011) _2026-02-19_ 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 apart. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1770867440/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260220-0500-black_sheep_s9_elsdon_best_part_2.mp3) ## [Preservation and Destruction: the story of Elsdon Best (Part 1)](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=ca3498fc-ede5-424b-934c-684cded98836) _2026-02-12_ Described in his own time as "the white Tōhunga of Tuhoeland" and by some today as a "structural rascist" who "stole" knowledge, it's fair to say Elsdon Best is a controvesial character. In the first of a two part episode, Black Sheep traces the early life of this self-taught ethnologist. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1770867698/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260213-0500-black_sheep_s9_elsdon_best_part_1.mp3) ## [Saturday Morning: Behind Black Sheep](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=b5152919-43ce-4c81-addc-d5b236855eaf) _2026-02-08_ New Zealand's most awarded podcast is RNZ's own Black Sheep, and it's back with its 9th season. Hosted and produced by William Ray - he explores New Zealand history through the lens of real life, shady, controversial and sometimes downright villainous characters. Saturday Morning's own Susie Ferguson has even been typecast as a murderous Scottish villain in it. Susie and William discuss how the… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1770411461/audio/sat/sat-20260207-0930-behind_black_sheep.mp3) ## [Killer Nurse: the story of Elspeth Kerr (Part 2)](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=ee1808a5-fa8c-461c-b96d-6ecbd40e8946) _2026-02-05_ In the second of Black Sheep's two-part episode on Elspeth Kerr, detectives unravel the mystery of 9-year old Betty Kerr's poisoning and uncover more potential victims of a beloved nurse, turned serial poisoner. The Trials of Nurse Kerr: The anatomy of a secret poisoner by Scott Bainbridge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1769990697/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260206-0500-black_sheep_s9_e2_elspeth_kerr_part_2.mp3) ## [Killer Nurse: the story of Elspeth Kerr (Part 1)](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=76f07df2-44c3-4bc1-8206-3221c0b921ac) _2026-01-29_ Elspeth Kerr was a beloved local nurse in 1930s Devonport, but when her husband died suddenly and her foster daughter fell into an inexplicable coma, locals discovered the shocking truth: Nurse Kerr was a serial poisoner. But more than 90 years later, elements of her crimes remain a mystery. In the first of a two part episode, Black Sheep investigates the chilling story. The Trials of Nurse Kerr:… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1769660302/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260130-0500-black_sheep_s9_e1_elspeth_kerr_part_1.mp3) ## [Black Sheep Season 9 | Trailer](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=e50e31e7-a6da-49d5-8ada-d0b917158d0e) _2026-01-22_ Black Sheep returns on Friday 30 January for its 9th season with a new cast of rogues, villains and controversial characters. Murderous nurses, foul-mouthed goldfield barkeepers, sly grogging kāuri gum dealers and more! Join William Ray as he looks at the darker side of New Zealand history. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1768956657/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20260126-0500-black_sheep_season_9_trailer.mp3) ## [Reach prospects with real signals (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/V4b1eRf0kIXk) _2026-01-22 · **Sponsored**_ Find prospects talking about your problem and get context-backed moments to engage ## [BONUS: Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt](https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/black-sheep?share=28542d7c-4d3a-4a84-98e3-222baadee214) _2025-06-06_ We're ducking into your feed to bring you an episode of a new RNZ podcast: Kelly Tartlon's Final Treasure Hunt. This story has everything! Kidnapping, smuggling, scurvy, and imaginary islands full of Jewish gold... Make sure to follow Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt wherever you get your podcasts. To see more of Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt, visit the RNZ website here. Special thanks to… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/media.rnztools.nz/rnz-kete-oro-prod/video/private/ac_mp3,af_48000,br_192k,f_mp3,fl_attachment/v1749173194/audio/bsheep/bsheep-20250606-1311-bonus_kelly_tarltons_final_treasure_hunt.mp3)