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.

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.

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