Prank of the Year Podcast

26/07/2024

New interview epsiode available now!

Join us for a korero with Sarah, a Fine Art Conservator at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki - we approached Sarah during our investigation to see if a forensic analysis of the Telecom Sux painting might yield any clues. And what she told us about her team's process and approach was fascinating - she also shared some incredible stories of art restoration from her long career.

Check out our interview now, wherever you get podcasts!
https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year/episodes

25/07/2024

This is ripe for an investigative podcast series...

As residents wake to another cold morning, a silent figure slips into the mist, leaving just one clue.

30/05/2024

New interview episode!

Check out our interview with two former journalists who covered the 1993 Telecom Christmas Card incident for a couple of Aotearoa's biggest news outlets.

In this bonus episode we chat to Rochelle, a former NZ Herald writer about how news was covered in the 90s (as well as how she went on to work for Telecom's biggest rival). We also have a korero with Lee - a former journalist tasked with covering the vibrant local Dunedin Arts scene for the Otago Daily Times.

The latest episode is available wherever you get pods - or listen online at https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year/episodes/bonus-interview-with-former-journalists-rochelle-lockley-and

25/04/2024

BONUS INTERVIEW EPISODE!

Check out our extended interview with Rata, an ephemera expert at NZ's Alexander Turnbull Library, who we first heard from in Episode Three.

During our korero, Rata guided us through what "ephemera" is, the role it plays in our social and cultural history, and why it is important to preserve the stuff that is largely "made to be disposed of."

Listen now at the link below, or wherever you get podcasts!

https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year/episodes/bonus-interview-with-ephemera-expert-rata

22/03/2024

Our mailbag episode is live!

Thanks to everyone who got in touch with their questions, theories and comments - we had a great time going through them all.

Also in this episode, a little update on what's next for Prank of the Year Podcast

Listen wherever you get podcasts, or online at: https://shows.acast.com/64d5bd17b4d0da001041bb61/65f8c518c44f3100171edfef

10/01/2024

Kia ora to our new followers!

We're still collecting questions, comments, feedback and theories for an upcoming Q&A episode. If you've got any burning questions or anything, please drop us an email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

22/12/2023

We spoke to RNZ about the pod, the card, and what might have happened. The interview is online now at

Exactly 30 years ago, the company then-known as Telecom sent out some corporate Christmas cards. If you looked closely enough at the illustration on these cards, you could make out the words 'Telecom Sucks'. And if you looked even closer, you could spot the logo of Telecom's big competitor, Clear, s...

22/12/2023

We'll be on RNZ Nights around 10.25 this evening. Check it out at

Tune in as Mark Leishman and the Nights team takes you abroad and helps you find out what’s happening at home - Let us know what's what’s happening in your world!

21/12/2023

Big ups to The Spinoff for publishing this piece on the card today!

21/12/2023

Happy Telecom Sux Christmas Card Day to all who celebrate!

Today is the 30th anniversary of the defaced card gaining national attention - its also the day in which our final podcast episode is released.

Episode Six - "Seasons Greetings from Telecom" - is available in your podcast feed right now

20/12/2023

BREAKING! This amazing piece of history just arrived in my mailbox... This is one of the actual Telecom Christmas Cards from 1993, courtesy of an anonymous donor.

Our series finale is coming out on Friday 22 December - make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it... It's a doozy!

Listen online at: https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year or wherever you get pods.

14/12/2023

Today, we've got something a little different for you all - a deeper dive into some of the fascinating topics that we explored during the course of our research.

In "Part Five: More Korero" you'll hear about Marketing, Art Crime, Protest and Art-based Activism from experts at Massey University, Te Papa, the NZ Art Crime Research Trust and the Wellington Media Collective.

Check out Part Five at https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year or anywhere you get podcasts!

Our season finale will be in your podcast feed next week - Friday 22 December.

07/12/2023

This is the 1978 edition of the Wellington Yellow Pages. Find out why it is notable in Prank of the Year Part Four: "****!! Those things have been printed!!!"

Available right now at https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year or wherever you get podcasts

(Also, check out our Instagram for more pics: https://www.instagram.com/prankoftheyearpodcast )

07/12/2023

Part Four drops first thing tomorrow morning... and this episode is a doozy! You're not gonna wanna miss this one!

30/11/2023

Here's the painting that was defaced, alongside the winning entry that made it onto the Dunedin phonebook. Both were entered into the Telecom Art Awards in 1993, and were both on display at the Otago Art Society gallery space that year.

Check out Part Three - available at https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year or wherever your get podcasts - for the full story.

23/11/2023

Remember Spot? Telecom's Jack Russell mascot? Did you know his name was an acronym for "Services and Products Of Telecom"?

We discuss this iconic pup, along with the wider history of Telecom up until the 90s, in our second episode - available right now wherever you get pods!

https://shows.acast.com/64d5bd17b4d0da001041bb61

19/11/2023

Thirty years ago, someone doctored Telecom's Christmas card. Who did it? And why? A new podcast tries to find out.

19/11/2023

Shout-out to Chris at Boiler Room for this write-up about the pod!

Thirty years ago, someone doctored Telecom's Christmas card. Who did it? And why? A new podcast tries to find out.

16/11/2023

Several years ago, I walked over one of these in Central Auckland and it sparked a memory. Today, you get to hear what happened next...

Prank of the Year Part One: "Savage Prank, Brilliant Prank" is available right now. Check it out at https://shows.acast.com/64d5bd17b4d0da001041bb61/6541eb3830d6750012a8e396 or wherever you get podcasts!

13/11/2023

Woah! We've cracked the Apple Podcast charts! (Sorry, Trev...)

Remember to follow / subscribe wherever you get pods if you haven't already. Episode One drops THIS FRIDAY!

29/10/2023

Kia ora Pranksters! Episode One will drop on Friday 17 November - but to whet your appetite, check out the three-minute Teaser Trailer, which is available right now!

Listen at: https://shows.acast.com/prank-of-the-year or search "Prank of the Year" wherever you get your pods!