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.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

08-18

48:16

What started out as a seemingly straightforward but tragic homicide story for investigative journalist Jared Savage turned into a heart-breaking exposé that changed his reporting and view of the world.What started as a straight-forward write up of a tragic murder deemed 'absolutely preventable' grew into an extensive exposé chronicling the victim's heartbreakingly harsh life.Marie Harlick was brutally killed by her partner, who'd been released from prison on bail. Her young daughter watched on, strapped into a stroller. When New Zealand Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage began his due diligence to report on the event, he never imagined the impact the story would have on him.In this interview media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie speaks with award-winning journalist and author Jared Savage about how reporting on New Zealand's most horrific crimes has shaped his outlook on the world and his work.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

09-01

43:20

Cystic fibrosis is a death sentence for those who suffer with it. Encountering their experience, and the miracle drug that's just out of reach, changed Paddy Gower.It almost never became a story - but a simple email led Paddy Gower to connect with a community of New Zealanders impacted by the genetic condition cystic fibrosis.Cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed in newborns, affecting both the respiratory and digestive systems, with most sufferers unlikely to live to the age of 40.A life-changing new miracle drug is now available, but the price tag keeps it just out of reach for so many.In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Paddy Gower reflects on his own experience of burnout as Newshub's political editor, and the profound impact that the community affected by cystic fibrosis have had on him personally.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

02-23

37:19

When Alison Mau launched a nationwide project to support victims of workplace sexual abuse and harassment in sharing their stories, critics wondered if the results would even be newsworthy.After nearly four years of dedicated reporting on sexual abuse and harassment in workplaces across New Zealand, Senior Journalist Alison Mau sensed she was in danger of treating survivors with less compassion if she did not take a step away for a season.The project's momentum, driven by Ali's gritty determination to get the story right, had brought about remarkable change in New Zealand's public discourse. But behind the scenes, there were countless sleepless nights for the victims going public, and the journalists telling their stories.In this interview with media chaplain Rev. Frank Ritchie, Ali touches on her own experience of workplace sexual harassment, how it has shaped her reporting on such a sensitive topic, and her decision to step away from it for a time.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

03-09

51:56

When covering the Syrian refugee crisis, Rachel Smalley translated overwhelming statistics of tragedy into stories of living, breathing people. Years later, Rachel still carries the grief of what she witnessed.Flying into Lebanon to report on the plight of Syrian refugees, Rachel Smalley felt the weight of the assignment. The stories she heard and retold struck a chord with New Zealanders who encountered World Vision's 'Forgotten Millions' campaign. The memories of those people and their stories will remain with Rachel forever.In her role as a radio host, Rachel joined and amplified the chorus of voices urging the New Zealand government to 'raise the quota' of refugees given asylum within our borders.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain, Rev Frank Ritchie, Rachel unpacks some of the suffering she has seen and explores the complex grief she continues to carry.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

07-12

56:15

Dismayed by how Māori were being portrayed in the media, Carmen Parahi nearly gave up on journalism for good. Instead, she channelled her frustration into a game-changing re-examination of indigenous news coverage.Carmen Parahi was at a career crossroads in 2020. While she still loved journalism, two decades of seeing Māori misrepresented and unfairly targeted in the media - not to mention the racism she'd experienced on the job - had taken its toll. She'd grown tired, angry and bitter, and was considering throwing in the towel.But sensing an opportunity for meaningful change under Stuff's new ownership, Carmen garnered the backing of her colleagues in establishing Pou Tiaki, a platform bringing attention to te ao Māori and priding itself on fair representation of all communities.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain, Rev Frank Ritchie, Carmen discusses her struggles as a Māori reporter in a Pakeha-dominated news environment and her vision for a multicultural approach to journalism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

07-19

46:39

A surprise phone call handed Garth Bray a huge scoop as media scrambled to find a runaway Hone Harawira in Australia. His journey to Alice Springs and the fallout back home turned the spotlight on indigenous discrimination.In 2007, then-MP Hone Harawira absconded from a parliamentary trip to Australia. With journalists asking 'where's Hone?' a phone call out of the blue from the politician handed Garth Bray a surprise scoop. Hone's journey to Alice Springs - and the racist cartoon that followed - turned the spotlight on indigenous discrimination on both sides of the Tasman.Now helping the voiceless speak truth to power on the TVNZ consumer affairs show Fair Go, Garth has been a correspondent in Europe and Australia for TVNZ but credits a regional Māori radio station in the Far North for kick-starting his career.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Garth talks about New Zealand's embrace of Māoritanga and his hopes for a media that's a beacon of truth for the world.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

07-26

45:12

An expose into Te Kohanga Reo Trust by Mihingarangi Forbes and Annabelle Lee-Mather led to their acrimonious exit from Māori Television. The duo bounced back to form an award-winning media company bringing indigenous storytelling to mainstream audiences.Having admired each other's work for years, Mihingarangi Forbes and Annabelle Lee-Mather then formed a powerful journalistic partnership at Māori Television. Together, the duo have broken countless major stories and brought high-quality Māori journalism to the masses.But neither of them could have expected where their mahi would lead them. Amid concerns of editorial overreach while investigating alleged misspending by the Te Kōhanga Reo Trust Board, the pair walked away from Māori TV and launched their own media collective.In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Mihi and Annabelle discuss their working relationship, paving the way for other wāhine reporters, and the news media's role in creating a more equitable Aotearoa.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

08-02

53:50

As missiles rained down on Gaza in 2014, Mike McRoberts lobbied his 3 News bosses to get him to the frontline. The trauma of witnessing destruction on such an enormous scale stayed with him and shaped how he responds to tragedy.As missiles rained down over Gaza in 2014, Mike McRoberts lobbied his 3 News bosses to get him to the frontline of the war. For weeks, he found himself reporting from the centre of one of the deadliest conflicts between Israel and Palestine in decades.The enormous scale of death and destruction he witnessed first-hand would stick with him, shaping his reporting and his response to future tragedy.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Mike talks about his experiences in the Middle East, his journey to reclaim te reo Māori and his optimism about the future of journalism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

08-09

51:15

Having joined the press gallery as its youngest member in 1980, Barry Soper is set to depart this year one of its veterans. Four decades and ten Prime Ministers on, he reflects on his career-shaping encounters with Nelson Mandela and his years holding power to account.A very fortunate case of mistaken identity in 1991 culminated in Barry Soper introducing then-NZ Prime Minister Jim Bolger to Nelson Mandela at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.The chance meeting led to breakfast and several more encounters with the legendary anti-apartheid activist, culminating in a lifelong fascination with the man who'd go on to become South Africa's first president.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Barry discusses his rendezvous with world leaders, his years holding the powerful to account, and the changing face of journalism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

08-16

40:38

Disheartened by one-dimensional coverage of gangs in Pākehā media, Moana Maniapoto and Hikurangi Jackson set about delving into the issue themselves. The Whakaata Māori mother-son duo's empathetic coverage captured the complexity and humanity of Aotearoa's gang landscape.Frustration over shallow media coverage of Aotearoa's gang landscape led Whakaata Māori colleagues and mother-son duo Moana Maniapoto and Hikurangi Jackson to launch an in-depth investigation into the issue themselves.Their empathetic one-hour special on gangs for Te Ao with Moana uncovered a complex and multifaceted situation and brought the human faces of those caught up in gang life to the fore, alongside leading experts.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Moana and Hikurangi discuss their path into journalism and how their Māori lens has opened doors with those who'd normally be suspicious of media.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

08-24

44:33

Through the telling of one couple's devastating story, Susie Ferguson lifted the lid on the grief suffered by the hundreds of Kiwi families who lose a baby each year. The veteran broadcaster reflects on helping break NZ's final taboo.Horrified at witnessing multiple friends and co-workers grieve the loss of a baby, veteran RNZ broadcaster Susie Ferguson struggled to understand why it seemed to be something no one was talking about.Her bewilderment led to The Unthinkable, an award-winning podcast series examining the intense anguish the death of a newborn causes, and why it remains a taboo topic in New Zealand despite affecting hundreds of families here every year.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Susie reflects on making the series and the trauma of covering the Iraq War, and breaks down why she's stepping away from breakfast radio.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

08-30

49:47

During the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa Barbara Dreaver reported on an ill-equipped healthcare system, complex tensions between traditional and western medicine, and the tragic and preventable loss of life.When the measles virus travelled from New Zealand to Samoa in September of 2019 Barbara Dreaver followed. On the ground, she found herself telling stories of an ill-equipped healthcare system compounded by complex tensions between traditional and western medicine. This formed the backdrop to the raw and tragic loss of 83 lives, with the majority of casualties being children. In this conversation with media chaplain and broadcaster Rev. Frank Ritchie, Barbara opens up about the profound impact those stories had on her, as well as her distinct experiences of being detained in both Fiji and Nauru.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

03-28

49:03

Long before it made national headlines, Justin Latif faced an uphill battle to convince his bosses the occupation of Ihumātao was worth covering. The ensuing reportage opened up a national conversation about identity, land ownership and Māori rights.Long before it made national headlines, Justin Latif faced an uphill battle to convince his bosses the occupation of Ihumātao wasn't just some "small local thing" - and was actually a story worth covering.But what began as a report about a few dissidents taking a stand against a property developer would soon spark conversations across Aotearoa about identity, land ownership and Māori rights.In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Justin discusses the power of community journalism, overcoming work-induced panic attacks, and how the media can be a force for good.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

04-04

47:19

A wheelchair user all her life, Olivia Shivas' coverage on people with disabilities suffering horrific abuse in care hit uncomfortably close to home. Her courageous reporting would help expose injustice and give survivors a voice.Having used a wheelchair all her life, Olivia Shivas' coverage on people with disabilities suffering horrific abuse in care hit uncomfortably close to home.But pushing through the personal mental toll of the hearings, the Stuff journalist's courageous reporting would help expose injustice and give survivors a voice.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Olivia discusses her experiences as a journalist with a disability, the fight to overcome stereotypes, and how good-quality media coverage can give dignity to others with disabilities.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details