In July 1985, far-flung Norfolk Island became the centre of a real life international spy thriller. Four French agents sail there after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. Australian police take them into custody on behalf of their New Zealand counterparts but then, bafflingly, allow them to sail away, never to face justice. On the 40 year anniversary of the bombing, award-winning journalist Richard Baker goes on an adventure from Paris to the Pacific to get the real story - and ultimately uncover the role that Australia played in the global headline-making affair.
In our final episode, we hear from one of the spies in his own words, and of the many lives he lived. New details of suspected police informants and political cover ups are unveiled. And Kiwi detectives rue an opportunity lost.
4 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT
The Bully
Richard and a crew of French journalists creep closer to tracking down the spies. And the truth about Australia’s involvement in letting them go becomes ever clearer as a top Government voice speaks out about the scandal.
29 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Damage Containment
A monumental cover-up is underway in Paris. Meanwhile in Canberra, politicians and officials get their story straight about the events on Norfolk Island as journalists start to dig. And global pressure beats down on Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific as nuclear-armed powers exert their influence.
22 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Clock's Ticking
A midnight raid is launched to capture the French spies. But Kiwi detectives get a shock when the Australian Government sets them an impossible deadline to gather evidence. Richard learns of Australia’s manipulation of nuclear policies in the Pacific and hears of the real physical and emotional fallout of the testing, direct from the Pacific Island community.
15 Jul 2025
Kicking Down Doors
As they await the arrival of a plane load of Kiwi detectives, Norfolk island’s three police officers are warned about the dangerous secret agents in their midst. A game of cat and mouse begins as police and locals shadow the Frenchmen around the tiny island.
9 Jul 2025
I Smell A Rat
A small yacht moored off Norfolk Island and its crew of four mysterious, hard-partying Frenchmen suddenly become of interest to New Zealand police. The detectives are investigating the fatal bombing of Greenpeace’s flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, more than 1000 kilometres away in Auckland Harbour. 40 years on from the bombing, journalist Richard Baker flies to Norfolk Island to find out what really happened - because he’s got a hunch there’s more to this case than the public have ever known.
29 Jun 2025TRANSCRIPT
Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island
For 24 hours, Australia had four French intelligence agents involved in the bombing of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior yacht in custody on Norfolk Island…then let them go just as New Zealand police were gathering evidence to lay charges. On the 40th anniversary of the bombing that shook the world, award winning journalist Richard Baker travels to Norfolk Island to talk to the locals involved about what happened, and ultimately uncover why Australia would have made it so hard for the Kiwis.
Inside a recent episode
The Man with a Thousand Lives
Published 11 Aug 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Unfortunately, I've not been able to find Andres to ask him about any of this. While we're talking about Andres, Morris Withham told me he was the one they came closest to catching six years after the bombing. In 1991, Gerald Andres goes to Darsal and Switzerland without a passport or without an identity. And they do a check on him. In the meantime, I had laid international warrants to arrest red cards. If you like, read alerts for the three. I was told I wasn't allowed to for Manage because he gave his correct details. But the other three, we changed them with the murder and consposing. He was arrested. […]
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