Tangiwai: A Forgotten History

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 share those stories here. Our thanks to all those involved in organising the memorial and the train service there.  Guests: John Mahy Callum Mahy Raymond Oshanassy John Archer Ruth Green Joan Humphries Keith Howells  Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Researcher: Neesha Bremner Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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  Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Researcher: Neesha Bremner Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 Smith Kyle MacDonald Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 John Chapman Chris Carter Hollei Gabrielson Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 Mahy Ian McKelvie Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.