Episodes

  • The Lake - Trailer

    The Lake - Trailer
    Oct 17 2021
    For more than five years, New Zealand investigative journalist Aaron Smale has been digging into the injustices - and crimes - of the state welfare system of Aotearoa New Zealand. Of all the unbelievable events he has investigated, none is more shocking than what happened at Lake Alice. In this new seven-part podcast by Stuff and Popsock Media, Smale talks to the survivors of one of the darkest chapters of modern New Zealand history, when children were committed to an adult psychiatric institution, often on flimsy pretexts, and then subjected to “treatment” that was in fact something much more like torture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    3 mins
  • Two Little Boys | 1

    Two Little Boys | 1
    Oct 24 2021
    As Rangi Wickliffe and Tyrone Marks go through the hell of New Zealand’s state welfare system, the boys form a powerful bond of friendship. Their journey is one of neglect and mistreatment, but also adventure and skulduggery, on the road to the notorious Lake Alice Psychiatric Facility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • The National Grid | 2

    The National Grid | 2
    Oct 24 2021
    Rangi and Tyrone are in an institution unlike any they’ve been in before. There’s no other children, for a start, only mentally unwell and dangerous adult patients. But in 1972 they are joined by other kids, when the Lake Alice Child & Adolescent Unit officially opens its doors. Leoni McInroe is 14 when she arrives at Lake Alice, becoming one of the many kids and teenagers subject to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and chemical containment, under the direction of psychiatrist Dr Selwyn Leeks. But is it actually ECT, or is it just a form of torture? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • The Case of the Niuean Boy | 3

    The Case of the Niuean Boy | 3
    Oct 24 2021
    A 13 Year old Niuean boy named Hake Halo smuggles a secret message to his family, written in the speech bubble of a smiling cartoon figure. It says: “fakesoka he fowa au tagi au” or, “I have been given electric shock by the people, Mum. The pain is very bad.” After he’s released, Hake finds an unlikely ally in a pākeha bug-scientist-turned-anti-racism campaigner, who takes Hake’s story to the press. But will it be enough to make the public pay attention? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Days of their Lives | 4

    Days of their Lives | 4
    Oct 24 2021
    While the NZ public has some idea of what happened to the kids of Lake Alice, the true horror of it lies in unfiltered accounts of the day-to-day. For these children, things like eating dinner, going to bed or watching a movie all came with the possibility of assault, or even torture. In this episode, survivors take us inside the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit, to show us how it feels when ‘horrifying’ is your normal. Note, this episode contains explicit accounts of physical, sexual and psychological harm perpetrated against children. It is designed to be self-contained, so if you skip ahead to episode 5 all will still make sense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Outrageous In The Extreme | 5

    Outrageous In The Extreme | 5
    Oct 24 2021
    Kids could only stay at the Lake Alice Child & Adolescent for so long, and at 16 they were packed up and sent on. We follow the Lake Alice kids as they try to get on with their lives through the 80s and 90s, and meet Kevin Banks, who’s been fighting for justice for more than 40 years. Plus, Leoni decides to take on the Crown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • One Flew Over the Lake | 6

    One Flew Over the Lake | 6
    Oct 24 2021
    There are so many outrageous stories about Lake Alice it can be hard to sort truth from conspiracy. Often something that starts out feeling far-fetched turns out to be true. In this episode: Scientologists, deep sleep experiments & the CIA, and how NZ was found guilty of torture by the United Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • The State Is A Psychopath | 7

    The State Is A Psychopath | 7
    Oct 24 2021
    Finally the kids of Lake Alice will have their chance to be heard at the Royal Commission of Inquiry. We follow the survivors to Auckland, where they reunite with old friends and take their truth to the stand. Will the Crown take accountability for harm perpetrated to children in its care? Will Dr Selwyn Leeks show? Expect emotional testimony, damning witness statements and shocking disclosures. Plus one final catchup with Tyrone and Rangi - mates through everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins