During the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve heard people say stuff like “we’re living in unprecedented times” …But every time they hear that, historians get extremely annoyed! In this episode we dig into the history of epidemics in Aotearoa New Zealand, including: - Why Māori were relatively free of diseases until European arrival in Aotearoa. - The factors which helped promote the development of epidemic diseases in Europe and Asia. - The early impacts of disease on Māori in the 19th century. - Efforts by colonial authorities to reduce the impacts of disease on Māori, and how these efforts were linked to a goal of “assimilating” Māori into European culture. - Efforts by Māori to reduce the impact of disease. - The development of sanitary infrastructure and its impact on epidemic disease. - The 1918 flu pandemic. - Polio epidemics in the 20th century. - The impact of modern medicines, including vaccines. For more on this subject: The Healthy Country? A History of Life and Death in New Zealand by Alistair Woodward and Tony Blakely Black November by Geoffrey Rice Dirt: Filth and Decay in a New World Arcadia by Pamela Janet Wood Epidemics - Te Ara. https://teara.govt.nz/en/epidemics

Take a voyage through the history of New Zealand with The Aotearoa History Show from RNZ - a part-animated web-series that travels all the way through from 100 million years ago to the modern day, capturing the highlights of our nation’s story. Fourteen short, sharp episodes dissect the what, when, how, and (most importantly) why of our past. Co-presented by RNZ's Maori Issues Correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan and William Ray from the smash hit Black Sheep podcast, it’s an accessible and entertaining tale perfect for history newbies and history buffs alike. [YouTube, 2019] The story of New Zealand and its people from its geological origins to modern day, hosted by William Ray, Māni Dunlop and Leigh-Marama McLachlan, with animation by Chris Maguren. [Radio New Zealand, 2019-2022]