The Commune

May 21 2024 946

The Commune Podcast artwork

A 12-part documentary podcast about the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and three other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

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Introducing: The Lost Boy - The disappearance of Mike Zhao-Beckenridge

May 21 2024 30 mins

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. From New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he controlled and the distraught mother left behind. Click here to get the next episode of The Lost Boy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m

BONUS: Newsable Interview with Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham, creators of The Commune

Jul 16 2023 10 mins

In this special bonus episode Imogen Wells and Emile Donovan take a peek behind the scenes of The Commune in their conversation with Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham. This interview originally appeared on Newsable, Stuff's daily news podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12: The Wounded Healer

Jun 05 2022 86 mins

Centrepoint is gone, but the trauma remains. Yet for some, those commune years were the best. Everyone grapples with their memories and sense of culpability. And we hear from someone prepared to tell an awful truth. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experienc

11: Zombie Commune

Jun 05 2022 58 mins

Barri deploys a secret weapon in her plot to close Centrepoint down for good: will this be the killer blow? Not if Bert’s loyal lieutenants have anything to do with it. The final battle is on. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.

10: The Writing on the Wall

Jun 05 2022 36 mins

Centrepoint’s guru is in prison, but the pressure on young people for sex hasn’t stopped. Only now, it’s not just the girls. Barri finally understands she’s been in a cult – but will she ever be free? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go

09: That Feeling of Helplessness

Jun 05 2022 47 mins

After a major police raid, the public finally learns the full horror of what’s been happening at Centrepoint. Barri reaches breaking point. (TW: This episode contains descriptions of sexual abuse.) Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.s

08: Lying without Lying

Jun 05 2022 39 mins

Ray is back on the Centrepoint case and he’s determined to arrest Bert. The community hatches a plan to cover up for their guru. Barri tries to make Bert see sense – but is it too late? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz

07: Cherished Ideas

Jun 05 2022 50 mins

Barri finds the answer she’s been seeking but what will she do? Nate tries to raise the alarm about a new arrival. And a humiliated Bert tries chemical assistance to regain the love of his followers. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen

06: The Centrepoint Kids

Jun 05 2022 57 mins

It’s the 1980s, and Centrepoint’s on a roll. Bert is investing in the booming stock market; and the head-count keeps rising. But some of the new arrivals at the commune have wild stories to tell. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.s

05: Invaders

Jun 05 2022 55 mins

The ever-expanding Centrepoint commune goes to war: with its fed-up neighbours, with the local council and, thanks to Robert’s decision to speak out, the New Zealand Police. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to