Jimmy Ellingham
Greyhound racing to be banned in New Zealand
Politicians are rushing through legislation this afternoon to stop the unnecessary killings of race dogs - after it was announced greyhound racing will be banned in New Zealand. Racing Minister… Audio
Changes to disability funding affects Manawatu teacher
Jimmy Ellingham is our reporter in Manawatu, where he has an update on 80th anniversary celebrations for Polish WW2 refugees Audio
Palmerston North local figure on trial for sexual assault
A man who was 14 when he said he was raped by a well-known local figure on trial for sexual abuse said the accused knew how old he was when the pair met through a dating website.The man admits that… Audio
Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Palmerston North
Jimmy Ellingham is a RNZ Checkpoint reporter based in Palmerston North with news from Manawatu. Audio
Former teacher's recovery could be undone to changes to disability funding
Four years after falling ill in the Cook Islands while teaching there, Grace Archer is making determined progress on her recovery. She suffered a brain stem infection that led to a series of other… Audio
Tenants leave house with holes in walls and upaid rent
Holes in the ceiling and walls, rubbish everywhere, missing chattels and unpaid rent. This is what a couple who rented out their family home are faced with after their tenant left the house looking… Audio
Deadline to toll new Manawatu and Hawke's Bay highway looming
A lower North Island district council is not giving up its fight against a proposal to toll a new highway linking Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, as a key deadline looms. The Tararua District Council is… Audio
Lake Alice survivor watches abuse in care apology
In Whanganui, a survivor of the notorious Lake Alice child and adolescent unit watched today's apology. Robyn Dandy missed out on a spot in the ballot to enter parliament so decided not to travel to… Audio
Free lower North Island counselling service facing uncertain future
A lower North Island free counselling service is facing an uncertain future after one of its government contracts was drastically reduced this year. The Marton Counselling Centre's annual budget's… Audio
ACC not removing psychologist despite Lake Alice association
ACC won't be removing psychologist Victor Soeterik from its books despite his association with the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit, where children were tortured in the 1970s. ACC relies on the… Audio
Over 650 mental health and addictions vacancies at Health NZ
Stressed and over-worked staff and patients unable to receive the help they need. Medical professionals say these are the consequences of a mental health workforce crisis, which will take years to… Audio
Pahiatua residents line streets in tribute to 'Polish children'
Just as they did 80 years ago today, residents of Pahiatua lined the lower North Island town's streets to bid a special and emotional tribute to a group of people forever known as the 'Polish… Audio
Polish refugees gather for 80th reunion of arrival in NZ
A big anniversary for the immigrant Polish community who arrived here after WW2 -Jimmy Ellingham has the story Audio
Pahiatua to host reunion for surviving polish refugee children
They arrived 80 years ago, shaven-headed and uncertain. But the 733 Polish refugee children and about 100 caregivers were welcomed with open arms - in Pahiatua. The Tararua town will next week host… Audio
Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Palmerston North
Figures released to RNZ show Health NZ MidCentral spent over $100,000 each on two coronial cases over deaths at Palmerston North Hospital. Audio
Lake Alice survivor waiting for heart operation
For the past 17 days, a survivor of Lake Alice's notorious child and adolescent unit's been stuck in life-threatening limbo, waiting for a heart operation. Malcolm Richards is in hospital in Hastings… Audio
Lake Alice survivor's plea against Dr Leeks fell on deaf ears
The Medical Council of New Zealand is poised to deliver a personal apology to a survivor of the notorious Lake Alice child and adolescent unit whose complaint about the horrors there was ignored. 20… Audio
1000 athletes in Palmerston North for gymnastics championships
Almost a thousand muscled and flexible athletes are jumping, flipping, twisting and balancing in Palmerston North this week at the national gymnastics championships. Olympian trampolinists are the… Audio
Lake Alice psychologist still providing services for ACC
Lake Alice survivors are dismayed that a psychologist they knew from the notorious psychiatric facility is still providing services for ACC. Victor Soeterik is adamant he only visited Lake Alice for… Audio
Battling to toll new road between Manawatu, Tararua
Manawatu locals are revolting - they're not happy with a proposal to toll the new highway between Manawatu and Tararua - reporter Jimmy Ellingham has this update Audio