THE LAKE
Winner of Best Podcast (Narrative/Serial) — Voyager 2022 Media Awards
Winner of Best Team Investigation — Voyager 2022 Media Awards
Gold Winner — New York Festivals Radio Awards 2022
Winner of two Gold awards, two Silver awards and a bronze at the NZ Podcast Awards
Between 1972-1977, hundreds of children aged 8-16 were subjected to brutal physical, mental and sexual abuse and unlawful use of electroconvulsive therapy at Lake Alice Psychiatric Facility.
Now, almost 50 years later, the abuse that occurred in the welfare homes is the subject of a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
In this 8-part podcast series produced for Stuff, host Aaron Smale asks what happened at Lake Alice, who was responsible, and why has no-one has ever been held accountable.
Media coverage
POD UNI | May 12, 2023
Upending True Crime Podcasting with PopSock Media
Interview: Kirsten and Melody speak with Collin Bjork about making The Lake
TRANSOM | Nov 16, 2021
The Lake
Between 1972 and 1978, hundreds of children — disproportionately from Māori families — were sent to the Lake Alice Psychiatric Facility in New Zealand. Many of these children suffered unimaginable and unchecked sexual, physical and psychological abuse. Now, more than 40 years later, Aaron Smale (from New Zealand's Ngāti Porou iwi), Kirsten Johnstone, and Melody Thomas share the story of Lake Alice through the accounts and retellings of some of the survivors. "The Lake," a seven-part podcast series, is an achievement in reporting. It is also very difficult listening. The stand-alone episode we're sharing here, "Days of Their Lives," details some of the most distressing stories of abuse and torture suffered by the children of Lake Alice. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
STUFF | Oct 25, 2021
The Lake: What happened to the children of Lake Alice was the beginning of a shameful story
Over seven podcast episodes, journalist Aaron Smale talks to survivors of Lake Alice - like Vernon Sorenson - as well as former staff, and goes in search of the psychiatrist who oversaw the experimental therapies at Lake Alice, Dr Selwyn Leeks.
STUFF | Oct 24, 2021
Aaron Smale: Giving Lake Alice survivors 'dignity of being heard'
Over seven podcast episodes, journalist Aaron Smale talks to survivors of Lake Alice - like Tyrone Marks - as well as former staff, and goes in search of the psychiatrist who oversaw the experimental therapies at Lake Alice, Dr Selwyn Leeks.