Every day, members of the New Zealand Defence Force achieve extraordinary things.
The Unclassified podcast brings to light memorable first-hand tales of courage and
commitment, service and sacrifice.
Season one looks at the NZDF’s significant contribution over more than 20 years to regional security in Afghanistan, and includes previously unheard stories about the heat of battle, the role of the SAS, keeping the faith in times of tragedy, and the lasting impacts of this deployment on those who served and their loved ones at home.
Season two includes experiences of life on the front-line at home and overseas, such as daring rescues at sea and on the ice, the chaos of evacuating New Zealanders from Kabul as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, the aftermath of the White Island eruption, and the reality of coming under a barrage of rocket attacks in Iraq.
S2 E7 | Outgoing Chief of Defence Force – Air Marshal Kevin Short
Host [Host Name] interviews outgoing Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short about his nearly 50-year career and leadership during challenging times.
21 May 2024TRANSCRIPT
S2 E6 | Responding to the deadly Whakaari / White Island eruption - CDR Tim Hall
Royal New Zealand Navy Commander Tim Hall shares his firsthand account of the Whakaari / White Island eruption response, offering insights into crisis management and resilience.
14 May 2024TRANSCRIPT
S2 E5 | Antarctica to the Middle East and responses at home – F/S Dave Cresswell
Host [Host Name] interviews Flight Sergeant Dave Cresswell of the Royal New Zealand Air Force about global deployments and domestic emergency responses, offering insights into resilience.
Host [Host Name] interviews Flight Lieutenant Nicole Brooke about her NH90 helicopter rescue missions during Cyclone Gabrielle, offering insights into high-stakes aerial operations.
30 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
S2 E3 | Taji Rocket Attack - LTCOL Iain Hill
Host [Host Name] interviews Lieutenant Colonel Iain Hill, New Zealand Army, about surviving a rocket attack in the Middle East and the critical role of leadership during deployments.
23 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
S2 E2 | Rescue at sea during Cyclone Gabrielle - CPO Leon Reilly
Chief Petty Officer Leon Reilly, Royal New Zealand Navy, recounts leading a perilous sea rescue during Cyclone Gabrielle, offering insights into courage under extreme pressure.
16 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
S2 E1 | Kabul evacuation - NZ Special Forces’ - Female Engagement Team member
A Female Engagement Team member of NZ Special Forces shares her experiences during the Kabul evacuation, offering insights into the intense realities of the mission.
9 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
Unclassified Season Two
Host [Host Name] interviews members of the New Zealand Defence Force sharing firsthand accounts of courage and commitment from global missions.
5 Jul 2023
S1 E6 | Staff Sergeant Tina Grant
Staff Sergeant Tina Grant shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for families of fallen soldiers, offering insights into resilience and support systems.
3 Jul 2023
S1 E5 | Major David Foote
Major David Foote shares his harrowing experiences as a combat nurse and the vital role of Combat Lifesaver training in saving lives during intense firefights.
28 Jun 2023
S1 E4 | Colonel Sean Bolton
In this episode we talk to Colonel Sean Bolton about the role of New Zealand’s Special Forces in Afghanistan, critical decision making and what it takes to be a member of the SAS.
This series deals with themes of violence, loss of life, grief, trauma and mental health. If you need to talk to someone, here are some support services:
· Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor
· Phone 0800 LIFELINE or text 4357 (HELP)
· Members of the NZDF can also visit www.health.nzdf.mil.nz (http://www.health.nzdf.mil.nz/) or phone 0800 NZDF4U
If you have any feedback or thoughts on this podcast - email podcast@nzdf.mil.nz (mailto:podcast@nzdf.mil.nz)
26 Jun 2023
S1 E3 | Chaplain Class 2 James Molony
In this episode we talk to Chaplain Class Two James Molony about the ongoing effects he’s seen over the last decade amongst those who deployed to Afghanistan, how a person’s faith is tested in a war zone, and the role of Chaplaincy in Defence.
This series deals with themes of violence, loss of life, grief, trauma and mental health. If you need to talk to someone, here are some support services:
· Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor
· Phone 0800 LIFELINE or text 4357 (HELP)
· Members of the NZDF can also visit www.health.nzdf.mil.nz (http://www.health.nzdf.mil.nz/) or phone 0800 NZDF4U
If you have any feedback or thoughts on this podcast - email podcast@nzdf.mil.nz (mailto:podcast@nzdf.mil.nz)
21 Jun 2023
S1 E2 | Major Caleb Berry
In this episode we talk to Major Caleb Berry about his experience as a junior commander forced to step up in New Zealand’s deadliest infantry battle since Vietnam, and how that has shaped his life ever since.
This series deals with themes of violence, loss of life, grief, trauma and mental health. If you need to talk to someone, here are some support services:
· Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor
· Phone 0800 LIFELINE or text 4357 (HELP)
· Members of the NZDF can also visit www.health.nzdf.mil.nz (http://www.health.nzdf.mil.nz/) or phone 0800 NZDF4U
If you have any feedback or thoughts on this podcast - email podcast@nzdf.mil.nz (mailto:podcast@nzdf.mil.nz)
19 Jun 2023
S1 E1 | Major General John Boswell
In this episode we talk to Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, about the overall contribution of the New Zealand Army to Afghanistan, the impact of losing a soldier on operations, and leadership in a crisis.
This series deals with themes of violence, loss of life, grief, trauma and mental health. If you need to talk to someone, here are some support services:
· Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor
· Phone 0800 LIFELINE or text 4357 (HELP)
· Members of the NZDF can also visit www.health.nzdf.mil.nz (http://www.health.nzdf.mil.nz/) or phone 0800 NZDF4U
If you have any feedback or thoughts on this podcast - email podcast@nzdf.mil.nz (mailto:podcast@nzdf.mil.nz)
6 Jun 2023
Unclassified: A new podcast from the New Zealand Defence Force
For more than 20 years, the New Zealand Defence Force worked alongside partners in Afghanistan, making a significant contribution to regional security and the lives of the local people.
More than 3,500 Kiwi personnel served there, including 10 soldiers who tragically lost their lives.
This year marks a decade since the withdrawal of New Zealand’s provincial reconstruction team, so we’re bringing you tales of service and sacrifice from those with first-hand experience of life at the front-line.
This six-part series hosted by Defence Public Affairs will include previously unheard stories about the heat of battle, the role of the SAS, keeping the faith in times of tragedy, and the lasting impacts of this deployment on those who served and their loved ones at home.
Feedback on this podcast can be sent to podcast@nzdf.mil.nz
Inside a recent episode
S2 E7 | Outgoing Chief of Defence Force – Air Marshal Kevin Short
Published 28 May 2024 · Transcript excerpt
[…] In the early days of joining, all of your reports and the way they were worded were generally around your technical skills. You know, if you're really good in your job, therefore you're a good leader. And I think we've learned a lot since then where leadership is a completely separate skill and you need to work on that and you need to understand people and how you will work. One, lead people and have people wanting you to lead them. It's really important. So in the early days, great reporting about technical skills. But today, I think we still share the technology and understanding. But we also need to share stories about how to best lead and what people need and actually understanding individuals' requirements, understanding the unit requirements. and providing a pathway and understanding for all of your units. […]
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