From the Murderous to the Misunderstood

Charles Mackay, former mayor of Whanganui. Image supplied.

Reporter

RNZ’s award-winning podcast Black Sheep returns for a new season with a whole new crop of Kiwi characters - from the murderous to the misunderstood.

In season seven, host William Ray brings listeners the story of Charles Mackay, a former mayor of Whanganui who was systematically erased from the town’s history, after shooting a young man who threatened to out him as homosexual, if he didn't resign the mayoralty. This is the story behind Aotearoa's recently announced first rainbow heritage building.

You’ll also find out about one of Aotearoa’s most infamous 19th century scientific racists -Dr Alfred Newman, whose story weaves into a wider tale of how Pākehā views of Māori were shaped and reshaped in 19th and early 20th century New Zealand.

Another episode heads back to 1935 and the story of Victor Penny, a mysterious backyard inventor who is spirited away to a secret laboratory on Matiu/Somes Island where some newspapers claimed he was working on a “death ray”. The government later claimed Penny never invented anything of significance, but 87 years later the official records of his work remain a secret. This episode explores whether Penny was a fantasist, a con-artist, or whether he really was onto something.

Another story delves into the life of Frederick Maning, remembered for his colourful personality - and equally colourful writing - about life as a “Pākehā Māori” in 1830s Hokianga, including how he developed harsh views of Māori as a Native Land Court judge.

Black Sheep is one of Aotearoa's most popular, and most awarded podcasts. In 2021, it picked up five major awards across New Zealand's Voyager Media Awards, Radio Awards, Podcast Awards and New York Festivals Radio Awards.

The first episode of Black Sheep season seven is out this Friday 26 May at rnz.co.nz/series or on your favourite podcast app, with a new episode every Friday. Listen to the trailer above.