Descent from Disaster (2013)

IMDb

Synopsis

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

First Air Date: 2013-07-16

Last Air Date: 2015-12-31

Number of Seasons: 2

Number of Episodes: 12

Networks: TVNZ 1

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Anton Oliver as Himself
Simon Gault as Himself
Andrew Fagan as Himself
Leigh Hart as Himself
Gary McCormick as Himself
Judy Bailey as Herself
Karen Olsen as Herself
Mark Rainsbury as Himself
Peter Montgomery as Himself
Toni Street as Herself

Seasons

Season 1 (2013)

Descent from Disaster is a six part documentary series revealing the stories, secrets and lessons learnt from them. Six celebrated New Zealanders retrace some of this country's darkest days. Traveling the length and breadth of the country, they'll bring history alive through the eyes of descendants.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Hyde Train Crash - 1943 (2013-07-16)

No overview for this episode.
Ep. 2: Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963 (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.
Ep. 3: Strongman Mine Disaster - 1967 (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.
Ep. 4: Shipwreck of the S.S. Wairarapa - 1894 (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.
Ep. 5: Hawkes Bay Earthquake - 1931 (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.
Ep. 6: Influenza Pandemic - 1918 (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.