Podcast
re_covering
Hosted by RNZ · EN
Media chaplain and broadcaster Rev Frank Ritchie sits down with top New Zealand journalists to unpack that one story that most impacted them, personally and professionally.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Abigail Dougherty | Terror in the Garden City
Jul 30, 202400:51:09Tap to summarizeWhen 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.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
Transcribe →Shayne Currie | A Tribute to Jodi
Jul 23, 202400:42:44Tap to summarizeAs 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.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
Transcribe →Indira Stewart | The Hidden Cost of Poverty
Jul 16, 202400:45:36Tap to summarizeAs 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.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
Transcribe →Lisette Reymer | The Human Face of War
Jul 8, 202400:54:18Tap to summarizeWhen 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.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.[audio_play] Listen to Lisette Reymer about life as Newshub's Europe Correspondent from war to world cupsBut 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
Transcribe →Aaron Smale | The Terrible Legacy of Lake Alice
Jul 1, 202401:06:44Tap to summarizeA 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.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 4357Suicide 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 4202Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nzWhat'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 254Healthline: 0800 611 116Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155OUTLine: 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
Transcribe →Mark Crysell | A Stopover in North Korea
Jun 25, 202400:51:51Tap to summarizeWith decades of experience as one of New Zealand’s most prominent television journalists, Mark Crysell recounts gaining unprecedented access to follow a set of unlikely New Zealanders into North Korea.Mark Crysell’s love of television and passion for telling a good yarn has led to him becoming one of New Zealand’s most prominent journalists.He has reported for TVNZ’s Sunday programme since 2003, been TVNZ's Europe Correspondent based in London and won multiple awards including Best Current Affairs Reporter at the Qantas Media Awards, Best Weekly Current Affairs Report at the NZ TV awards in 2012, and Broadcast Reporter of the Year at the 2021 Voyager Media Awards.In this episode, Mark tells media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie of his early career highlights and then takes us behind the scenes of how he and his team gained unprecedented access into North Korea.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Transcribe →Cameron Bennett | The New Zealand Wars
May 16, 202300:47:10Tap to summarizeAfter decades as one of the country's best-known journalists, Cameron Bennett took on a unique new challenge: to educate the nation on the New Zealand Wars and help tell Māori stories.A legendary figure in New Zealand journalism across several decades, Cameron Bennett is revered for his ability to tell a compelling story, his courage to report from some of the world's most dangerous places, and his broadcasting brilliance.But his most recent work has presented a unique challenge. As well as helping tell the stories that matter to Māori for a Māori audience on Te Ao with Moana, Cameron has played a key role in producing an award-winning documentary series about the New Zealand Wars.In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Cameron talks about being a Pākehā journalist at a Māori news organisation, regales us with tales of reporting from warzones, and lifts the lid on Paul Holmes' infamous interview with Dennis Conner.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Transcribe →Anna Burns-Francis | The Right to Work
May 9, 202300:44:53Tap to summarizeAs fast-food workers suffered under the indignity of zero-hour contracts, Anna Burns-Francis stepped up to tell their stories. Her tireless reporting forced corporations to put employee welfare over greed.When Anna Burns-Francis began her investigation into zero-hour contracts, she was gobsmacked. Fast-food giants had been hiring Kiwis without guaranteeing them any work, all while preventing them getting another job. Anna's tenacious reporting exposed how greed was being prioritised at the expense of worker wellbeing, pressuring some of the world's wealthiest corporations into changing their policies and setting the wheels in motion on a groundbreaking law change.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Anna discusses taking on the big guns while at Campbell Live, the demands of being TVNZ's US correspondent, and how approaching a story with curiosity can foster care for each other.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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