Tangiwai: A Forgotten History
Tangiwai: A Forgotten History
Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy? Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald. Made with funding from…Social links:
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Memorials and Memories
In this bonus episode of Tangiwai: A Forgotten History, we head back to the scene of the accident as the 70th anniversary is marked in an official ceremony. And, in the weeks after the series was released, dozens of people have contacted us with their own stories from December 24th, 1953, and we s…
35:07
Never Again
70 years since Tangiwai, in a year where natural disasters once again exposed our poor investments in infrastructure, we ask experts if the country truly remembered the lessons of the Tangiwai disaster. Guests: Nick Leggett Dr Samaneh Madanian Gail Pacheco Liam Wotherspoon Max Rashbrooke Present…
45:48
What If?
With the information we've learned from authorities and locals, Hamish looks at what would happen if the Tangiwai disaster was to happen today, and how quickly - or not - people would respond. Guests: Chris Carter Andrew Chambers Colonel Trevor Walker Brad Scott Matt Carey Senior Constable Conrad …
42:21
Near Miss
As the years passed, Tangiwai slipped into memory. That's until Mt Ruapehu erupted again in the mid-90s, prompting panic throughout the region - and within Government. So how has the local area changed in the decades since Tangiwai? Guests: Weston Kirton Ian Mckelvie Andrew Chambers Don Alabaster…
39:03
Legacy
1950s New Zealand did their best to put Tangiwai behind them, with rapid repairs and a quick inquiry. Did the inquiry provide the answers the country needed, and how is the disaster being remembered today? Guests: Graeme Stewart Bob Norling Ian Heppe Jim McAloon Hollei Gabrielson John Mahy Callum …
40:01
The Day After
On Christmas Day, the small nation of New Zealand - hosting the Queen and Prince Philip at the time - awoke to news of the horrific tragedy that was impossible to avoid. For some though, they were waking up to news that their loved ones had perished. Guests: Jim McAloon Graeme Stewart John Mahy Be…
31:59
Christmas Eve
New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster occurred at 10:21pm, Christmas Eve, 1953. We explore the unfortunate series of events that led to Ka 949 plunging into the Whangaehu River, and hear from those there that night about the nightmare they witnessed. Guests: John Mahy Bob Silk Bruce Thompson Jim …
37:32
Trailer - Tangiwai: A Forgotten History
New episodes of Tangiwai: A Forgotten History are out Saturdays and Tuesdays in December. The series has been made with the support from NZ on Air.
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