re_covering

The death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore confirmed warnings journalist Dana Johannsen had long been hearing about the mental health risks for elite athletes. Her reporting would go on to expose the dark underbelly of high-performance sport in NZ.

Season 5 Episode 3

Content warning: This podcast discusses mental health and suicide.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

When Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore died in 2021, journalist Dana Johannsen was shocked – but it wasn’t completely out of the blue. For years, athletes and their advocates had been sounding the alarm over a silent mental health crisis gripping elite sport in Aotearoa.

As speculation over the death swept the nation, Dana’s unrelenting coverage sought to understand how the system had failed a gifted athlete so badly at what should’ve been the prime of her career.

In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Dana also discusses reporting on the America’s Cup and Olympics, the reality of working in lockdown, and her love of home DIY.

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]

What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sixty years after the Battle of Crete, a Kiwi WWII veteran travelled back to Greece to find the family of the men who sheltered him from Nazi soldiers. Journalist Jonathan Milne chronicled their emotional meeting.

Season 5 Episode 2

Watch the video version of the episode here.

On a flight to Greece in 2001, journalist Jonathan Milne met a Kiwi veteran determined to find the Cretan locals who sheltered him from German troops for a year in Nazi-occupied Crete during World War II.

With only two names on a scrap piece of paper, Jonathan helped facilitate the reunion of Alan Hepburn with the family of his heroes – and uncovered a surprising New Zealand connection.

In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Jonathan also discusses his award-winning career, journalism’s problems with revenue and public trust, and why it’s healthy for reporters to own their mistakes.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When Te Aniwa Hurihanganui received a leaked document revealing details about the Government’s ill-fated Treaty Principles Bill, it sparked a political firestorm that would dominate headlines in 2024.

Season 5 Episode 1

Content warning: contains violent and racist language.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

TVNZ Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui was on her way to a hui-a-motu when she received a leaked document revealing key details about the Government’s Treaty Principles Bill.

Pivoting quickly from her original planned coverage, Te Aniwa got an immediate reaction to the document from arriving leaders, marking the start of a political firestorm that would dominate headlines over the next year.

In this interview with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Te Aniwa Hurihanganui also discusses the racism she has faced in her work, the sense of responsibility she carries in her reporting, and how she switches off.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When Elesha Gordon opened up publicly about her workplace anxiety, she discovered many other journalists in the same boat. Now she’s leading Media Chaplaincy, tackling burnout, trauma, and stress in the industry.

Season 4 Episode 8

After years of threats, stresses and traumas as a reporter, Elesha Gordon shared her personal story in a blog. She was surprised to see how many fellow journalists had similar struggles, revealing the widespread pressures faced by those who work in news.

Now at the helm of Media Chaplaincy NZ, Elesha leads a nationwide team of chaplains who are committed to providing confidential support and encouragement to media personnel at no cost.

In this conversation with broadcaster and fellow media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Elesha discusses her experiences in journalism, how she’s helping others remain in media, and her long-term vision for mental health in the industry.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Struck by the disconnect between Wellington bureaucrats and frustrated Aucklanders stuck in Covid lockdown, Heather du-Plessis Allan held the country’s leaders to account in tenacious style.

Season 4 Episode 7

When Heather du-Plessis Allan visited the capital in 2021, she was taken aback by how indifferent Wellington bureaucrats seemed about the frustration building among Aucklanders trapped in a months-long Covid lockdown.

Fueled by a frustration with the lack of scrutiny on the lockdown’s effectiveness, and strong backing from her Newstalk ZB audience, du-Plessis Allan’s persistent questioning of New Zealand’s top officials helped keep them accountable.

In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Heather reflects on her adaptation to talkback host on Newstalk ZB, her redundancy from Mediaworks, and how a shouting match with Jacinda Ardern helped form her into a tough interviewer.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When the call came in about a mass shooting, visual journalist Abigail Dougherty jumped on the first plane to Christchurch. The images she captured powerfully communicated the sorrow of New Zealand’s darkest day.

Season 4 Episode 6

As Abigail Dougherty prepared to clock off for the week, a call came in about a mass shooting in Christchurch. Put on the next flight with nothing but her camera, her task was to capture the anguish of what would later be known as New Zealand’s darkest day.

Abigail’s heart-wrenching photos and videos for Stuff in the aftermath of the mosque terror attack captured the horror of what occurred that day, providing a visceral accompaniment to reports of the shockwaves it was sending through the community.

In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Abigail recounts her surreal, emotional coverage of March 15, how she manages covering traumatic events, and how an unexpected trip to Papua New Guinea gave her a start in visual journalism.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As broadcaster Simon Barnett came to terms with his wife Jodi’s fatal illness, Shayne Currie came alongside the family to tell their story. His tender piece allowed the family to process their grief and honour Jodi’s life.

Season 4 Episode 5

When it was clear his wife Jodi had just weeks to live, broadcaster Simon Barnett called NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie to let him know it was the right time for an interview.

Shayne’s sensitive and compassionate story – which enabled Simon and their four daughters to tell Jodi’s story, and reflect on her legacy of love – gave space for the family to process their grief and pay tribute to a “perfect” wife and mother.

In this interview with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Shayne talks about the care he took communicating Jodi’s story, takes a look back on his impressive career, and analyses the rapidly changing face of journalism.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As politicians argued about solutions to poverty during the election cycle, Indira Stewart took the discourse to street level, giving a voice to teens working full-time on top of schooling to support their whanau.

Season 4 Episode 4

Most aspiring reporters don’t have to juggle university, solo motherhood and a benefit to get their start in journalism. But Indira Stewart knew she was born to be a storyteller, and her determination to make it a reality against the odds would ultimately land her in one of the industry’s top jobs.

Despite her success, Indira has never forgotten her roots, using her platform to highlight marginalised groups whose stories too often go unheard. During the 2023 election cycle, this saw her give voice to teens working full-time on top of schooling to support their whānau.

In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Indira discusses her journey from reality TV star to journalist, her determination to be a role model to Pasifika women, and the courage required to tell truths that are hard to hear.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Lisette Reymer risked her own safety to report from the frontline. Her empathetic, award-winning coverage expertly captured the human face of the conflict.

Season 4 Episode 3

When Lisette Reymer landed her dream job as Newshub’s Europe Correspondent, she had to hit the ground running amid massive stories like the Covid-19 pandemic, the Queen’s death, and humanitarian crises in Turkey and the Middle East.

But it was Lisette's courageous, empathetic reporting from the frontlines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that marked her out as a special talent. Her coverage, capturing the human face of war, saw her win the coveted title of Best Reporter at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.

In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Lisette discusses the stress of reporting from a warzone, how she’s navigated traumatic stories, and reflects on her time at Newshub ahead of a move to Stuff.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A surprise phone call from a sister Aaron Smale never knew existed led to an investigation into state abuse. His questions would ultimately result in an award-winning exposé of the heinous goings-on at Lake Alice Hospital.

Season 4 Episode 2

When Aaron Smale received a phone call from a sister he never knew existed one Christmas Day, it left him with more questions than answers.

Aaron’s subsequent investigation into state welfare abuse, and the racist underbelly that enabled it to go unchallenged for years, would ultimately lead to his award-winning exposé of Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital – an epicentre of some of New Zealand’s most shameful abuse.

In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Aaron discusses his personal experience in the state system, the Abuse in Care Inquiry his journalism brought about, and the personal toll of telling stories involving immense trauma.

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]

What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details