Descent from Disaster

Descent from Disaster

Retrace some of NZ's darkest days to reveal the stories, secrets and lessons learnt from our most famous disasters. 

Documentary

Seasons

Hyde Train Crash - 1943

1. Hyde Train Crash - 1943

Air Date: 2013-07-16

Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963

2. Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963

Air Date: 2013-07-23

On July 3rd 1963, a National Airways Corporation DC3 slammed into a rocky ravine deep in the Kaimai Ranges. All 23 passengers and crew were killed. Simon Gault looks back at this tragic story.

Strongman Mine Disaster - 1967

3. Strongman Mine Disaster - 1967

Air Date: 2013-07-30

West Coast's Leigh Hart revisits his old hometown of Runanga, where in 1967,it was one of several West Coast towns devastated by the Strongman Mine disaster.

Shipwreck of the S.S. Wairarapa - 1894

4. Shipwreck of the S.S. Wairarapa - 1894

Air Date: 2013-08-06

135 people lost their lives when the S.S. Wairarapa steamed straight into rocks on Great Barrier Island. Andrew Fagan uncovers the stories of heroism and downright cowardice on that tragic night.

Hawkes Bay Earthquake - 1931

5. Hawkes Bay Earthquake - 1931

Air Date: 2013-08-13

The Hawkes Bay Earthquake of 1931 is New Zealand's deadliest earthquake with over 250 people killed and hundreds more injured. Gary McCormick looks back at this tragic event.

Influenza Pandemic - 1918

6. Influenza Pandemic - 1918

Air Date: 2013-08-20

In 1918, 8500 New Zealanders lost their lives in a influenza pandemic that swept the world, Judy Bailey investigates the affect it had on New Zealand.

Cyclone Giselle - 1968

1. Cyclone Giselle - 1968

Air Date: 2015-12-31

ONE News meteorologist Karen Olsen revisits one of New Zealand's worst storms. On April 9th, 1968 Cyclone Giselle hit New Zealand with a force so ferocious it sank the Wahine inter-island ferry.

Brynderwyn Bus Crash - 1963

2. Brynderwyn Bus Crash - 1963

Air Date: 2015-12-31

Veteran broadcaster Mark Sainsbury recounts the relatively unknown story of the 1963 Brynderwyn bus crash, which resulted in the death of 15 passengers after its brakes failed on a winding road.

Centennial Yatch Race - 1951

3. Centennial Yatch Race - 1951

Air Date: 2015-12-31

Kiwi yachting legend Peter Montgomery recounts the 1951 Centennial Yacht Race disaster, where ten men died in a brutal storm shortly after setting sail from Wellington.

Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster - 1953

4. Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster - 1953

Air Date: 2015-12-31

Toni Street travels to New Plymouth to rediscover the Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster.

Wreck Of The Ranui - 1950

5. Wreck Of The Ranui - 1950

Air Date: 2015-12-31

22 lives were lost when the Ranui capsized, leaving families heartbroken and the small seaside communities of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga shattered. Presented by Peter Elliott.

Ruapheu Plane Crash - 1948

6. Ruapheu Plane Crash - 1948

Air Date: 2015-12-31

Former One News weatherman Jim hickey recounts the tragic 1948 National Airways Corporation plane crash on Mt Ruapehu. At the time this was the worst civilian plane crash in New Zealand.

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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

2013-07-16

Episodes

12 (2 seasons)

Status

Returning Series

Cast

Videos

Production Companies

Screentime

Screentime

Television New Zealand

Television New Zealand