re_covering

In the 1960s and 70s, children as young as eight were placed in Porirua Psychiatric Hospital alongside the most mentally unwell adults. In 2005, Miriama Kamo told their story of startling abuse.

Season 1 Episode 5

In 2005, TVNZ journalist Miriama Kamo reported on historic abuses of children in state care at Porirua Psychiatric Hospital.

A tragic picture emerged of a toxic culture that had developed amongst the staff. Allegations of severe neglect and outright abuse were corroborated by former staff members and even perpetrators.

In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Miriama Kamo speaks of the profound impact those stories have had on her personally and the discipline she needed to develop to maintain a level of distance and neutrality, in order to tell the whole story.

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

As Jehan Casinader reported on the tragic suicide of a Christchurch teenager, Jehan's own mental health was privately crumbling as he'd recently begun experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Season 1 Episode 4

As Jehan Casinader listened to Harry McLean's mother reading one of the last things Harry ever wrote, Jehan realised he could have written every word himself.

After a meteoric rise in his journalistic career, Jehan had landed his dream job as a reporter on TVNZ's Sunday programme at the age of 26. Externally his life epitomised success, yet privately Jehan's mental health was deteriorating rapidly.

In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader speaks candidly about his struggles, his decision to step away from his role, and how his experiences have changed his approach to story-telling.

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: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)

Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

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

When breaking the news of horrific treatment of prisoners at Auckland Women's Prison, Guyon Espiner came face to face with a deeper story, of personal and cultural trauma.

Season 1 Episode 3

In 2020, RNZ investigative reporter Guyon Espiner began exploring the conditions within New Zealand prisons. He was shocked by what he uncovered.

After breaking the news of startling abuses, including excessive use of pepper spray and isolation at Auckland Women's Prison, Guyon followed the review that took place over the ensuing months. The outcome of that review was both surprising and deeply emotional for this seasoned reporter.

In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Guyon opens up on his personal journey into his greater understanding of te ao Māori, and how that shaped his telling of this particular story.

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

Joy Reid nearly gave up journalism while struggling with PTSD after covering the Christchurch earthquakes, but went on to her dream role as the Europe correspondent for TVNZ.

Season 1 Episode 2

As TVNZ's Europe correspondent, Joy Reid covered a royal wedding, the Paris riots and the ongoing saga of Brexit, but she very nearly missed out on her dream role.

Within hours of the February 2011 earthquake, Joy was staring down the barrel of the camera reporting live to a horrified nation. The trauma of that day came at a significant personal cost, with Joy suffering from such severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the months to come that she couldn't even walk to the letterbox.

In this interview with Media Chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Joy opens up about the impact that experience had on her reporting, her sense of failure, and how she wound up essentially discounting herself for the job of her dreams.

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

Veteran journalist Paula Penfold has chosen to discuss her most recent documentary, Deleted, where Paula and her team at Stuff Circuit investigated the persecution of the Uyghur peoples in China.

Season 1 Episode 1

Paula Penfold has wept beside children's gravesites in Afghanistan, embraced a mother searching for her daughter in the wake of a typhoon in the Philippines, and relentlessly pursued justice for Teina Pora.

In her most recent documentary, Deleted, Paula and her team at Stuff Circuit investigated the persecution of the Uyghur peoples in China, and shared the heartbreaking stories of the New Zealanders whose family in Xinjiang have disappeared.

Over the course of this conversation with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Paula touches on stand-out stories she's told over her 30 year career in this high-pressure industry, and the impact each has had on both her personal and professional life.

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

There's always more to a news story than what you see, so throughout this series, Rev Frank Ritchie will be sitting down with journalists to unpack the stories that have shaped and changed them. Follow now, and share this podcast with your news junkie friends!

Season 1 Trailer

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