Context
Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann explore the backstory to today's front page, diving into New Zealand's political past and asking how we got here. The twist is that one host knows the topic while the other does not, creating an engaging dynamic. Together they unpack the context behind current events, connecting historical decisions to present-day headlines. The podcast offers listeners a deeper understanding of NZ politics through this unique conversational format.
Episodes
The Rise and Fall of Minor Parties
As the Opportunity Party climbs above the crucial 5% threshold,, Context looks back at New Zealand's minor parties. From kingmakers and coalition partners to spectacular failures, who made it into Parliament and who fell short?Season 3 Episode 6Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Go to this epis
Property Nation: NZ's Housing Obsession
Today's housing downturn has decades of booms and busts behind it. Context explores how governments, investors and global shocks helped turn New Zealand into a country where property became both a home and an obsession.Season 3 Episode 5Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Go to this episode on r
Winston Peters' Foreign Policy Fallout
A controversial remark in Parliament becomes the starting point for a deeper story. From Chinese gold miners and the poll tax to free trade and modern geopolitical tensions, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace the history of one of New Zealand's most important relationshipsSeason 3 Episode 4Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to
Who Gets Saved? The History of Government Bailouts
National is spending millions to bail out Golden Bay Cement. But when Watties and Heinz faced closure, the Government turned its back. So why do some companies get rescued while others are left to fail? A look back at the history of bailouts, who gets saved and who doesn't?Season 3 Episode 3Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks t
The Tax New Zealand Won't Touch
New Zealand is the only country in the OECD without wealth tax - so why are we so afraid to tax the rich? The This week, Context looks back on the wealth taxes we had, why we got rid of them and whether this Election will see the tables turn. Season 3 Episode 2Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Visio
NZ's GE Wars
Genetic engineering has sparked protests, divided governments and resulted in one of the most famous interviews in NZ history. As Parliament once again looks at our GE laws, Context looks back at the political storm that never really ended.Season 3 Episode 1Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.In
Sin and Scandals: When the Personal becomes Political
Labour leader Chris Hipkins cries in response to a social media post by his ex-wife. Should we be listening? We chart the history of political scandals from the Profumo Affair through to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Season 2 Episode 6Watch the video version of the episode hereOr you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Political scandals f
NZ's Royal Problem: The Power of the Crown
After Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest for his links to Epstein, questions arise about his place in the line of succession. We explore how New Zealand remains tied to the Crown and why changing it is more complex than it seems.Season 2 Episode 5Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.As scandal
Pharmac: Bitter Pill or Best Medicine?
New Zealand is the only country with a drug-buying agency like Pharmac - but how did we get here? This episode traces its origins, and through politics and patient stories explores the tough trade-offs at the heart of our health system.Season 2 Episode 4Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Pharm
Words Matter: The Speech that Shifted the Polls
As fresh polling fuels political debate, Guyon and Corin look back on our most explosive poll results - including the one that truly changed the game. What makes voters change their minds? Season 2 Episode 3Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.In this episode of Context, a potted history of Poli
NZ's Free Trade Hustle
As New Zealand closes in on its first trade deal with India, we look back at the agreements that shaped the country: from Britain’s betrayal in the 1970s to closer economic relations with Australia. For a small nation at the edge of the world, survival has often meant learning to hustleSeason 2 Episode 2Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website
Think Big: Muldoon's Attempt at Energy Independence
As new tensions in the Middle East rattle global energy markets, we look back at the oil shocks of the 1970s and how they reshaped New Zealand’s energy story: from carless days, to Muldoon’s massive Think Big projects - and how we’re grappling with the challenge today.Season 2 Episode 1Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ng
Context Season 2 | Trailer
Guyon Espiner & Corin Dann are back for a new season of Context. Using their decades of journalistic experience, the explore the history behind what's happening today, diving into NZ’s political past and asking, "How did we get here?" As the country heads into election year, they revisit New Zealand’s most dramatic political moments. Season 2You can watch the full series on the RNZ website here or
The Great NZ Sell-Off
From Telecom to Air New Zealand, the BNZ to our power companies why did governments sell our state assets, and what did we get in return? Now the Government is eyeing a sale of its Chorus debt. Join Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann as they look back at four decades of selling the family silver. Season 1 Episode 10Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ w
Pension Wars: The NZ Super Promise That Changed Politics
It's the third rail of New Zealand politics: Touch it and you die. From Richard Seddon's groundbreaking old-age pension, to Rob Muldoon's Dancing Cossacks to, Jim Bolger's "No ifs, no buts, no maybes" Corin and Guyon trace the history of New Zealand Superannuation.Season 1 Episode 9Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Ta
How MMP changed politics
New Zealand’s MMP voting system promised fairness and diversity — but has it delivered? In this episode of Context, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann look back at how MMP came to be, from a slip-up by David Lange in the 1980s to Winston Peters’ rise as kingmaker, and now Christopher Luxon’s challenge of managing a three-party government. Season 1 Episode 8Watch the video version of the episode here.Or
Behind the picket lines
From the Cook Strait ferry strikes to the fiery union battles of the 1970s, New Zealand’s history is written in industrial action. Now, as nurses, teachers and doctors walk off the job, what lessons can we draw from a century of strikes? Season 1 Episode 7Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Ha
The Wild History of Inflation in NZ
From Muldoon’s Price Freeze to Today’s Cost of Living Crisis. Corin and Guyon look back to a time when the PM set the price of milk and froze wages on a whim. Plus, how the NZ reserve bank launched a groundbreaking new monetary policy, which changed how countries controlled inflation for good. Season 1 Episode 6Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ
NZ's United Nations History
As Winston Peters heads to the UN, Context looks back at how NZ has shaped the world stage — from Peter Fraser at its founding to peacekeepers in Korea and Timor, and a fiery clash with Israel. Season 1 Episode 5Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to
Booze, Bans & Backlash
Why is alcohol reform such a political minefield in New Zealand? With new reforms on the table, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace liquor laws back through a century of history; from the 6 o’clock swill and failed prohibition votes, to Muldoon’s drunken election call and the Black Budget. Season 1 Episode 4Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ webs
Parliament's Rules
Inside Parliament’s Rulebook: Why can’t MPs call each other liars? Why do Speakers wield so much power? And which MP was kicked out just for sarcasm? In this episode, Guyon and Corin trace 175 years of standing orders, Speaker’s rulings, and legendary political one-liners that have shaped New Zealand’s democracy.Season 1 Episode 3Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the fu
Spies, Allies, and the FBI
From Kash Patel’s surprise visit to Kim Dotcom’s infamous raid, New Zealand’s relationship with the FBI and America has been anything but simple. In this episode, Guyon and Corin uncover how NZ has balanced alliances, espionage, and independence — and why it matters now more than ever.Season 1 Episode 2Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website
The Brain Drain Backstory
From quips about "raising the IQ of both countries", to gold fever and neoliberal reform, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner dig through the history of the "brain drain"
Season 1 Episode 1Watch the video version of the episode here.Read more about this history in this episode on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send you
Introducing: Context
RNZ's Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann explore the backstory to today’s front page, diving into NZ’s political past and asking "how did we get here?". But there's a twist: One knows the topic, the other doesn’t.Season 1Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
