Jimmy Ellingham
Ohakea back as back-up airport, with limitations
A full roster of trained fire and rescue staff at Ohakea airforce base means commercial airline operators can again use it as a back up airport, but it's not available around the clock. Jimmy… Audio
Pet food factory pumping life into Taumarunui's economy
For decades manufacturers have been deserting smalls towns, sucking out the lifeblood as they depart. But Taumarunui is bucking this trend thanks to a pet food factory that's started full-time… Audio
Ruahine Range link nears completion
The major earthworks are finished and the pavement will soon be laid on a vital transport link between Manawatu and Hawke's Bay. Jimmy Ellingham reports. Audio
Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Palmerston North
Work on the almost-completed Palmerston North cycleway has paused as arguments rage. Also, why ratepayers are facing an eye-watering bill for a new sewage treatment plant. Audio
Planning for future in Palmerston North: Street upgrade faces backlash
A cars versus bikes battle continues to rage in Palmerston North after a new road layout which has separated traffic from a cycleway. Our reporter Jimmy Ellingham watched an at-times heated council… Audio
100-year-old walking 100km for charity
A Hawke's Bay man is striding his way to his goal of walking one hundred kilometres in his hundredth year for charity. Jimmy Ellingham reports. Audio
Chateau Tongariro continuing to deteriorate
Chateau Tongariro is continuing to deteriorate despite taxpayers forking out millions on its upkeep. Jimmy Ellingham spoke with Lisa Owen about how bad things have become at the famous hotel. Audio
Palmerston North ratepayers could face big new bill
Every ratepayer in Palmerston North could face an annual bill of at least 1-thousand dollars for the next 30 years to fund a new sewage treatment system. Jimmy Ellingham reports. Audio
Staff shortages partly to blame for youth on prison roof
Staff shortages partly to blame for a rooftop stand-off at one of Oranga Tamariki's youth justice facilities last year. Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham speaks to Lisa Owen. Audio
Disappointment with Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward
Relatives of two patients who died of suspected suicides at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward are disappointed by how long it's taking to replace the facility and the length of time it's… Audio
First Up - The Podcast, Tuesday 9 April
On today's First Up pod - today with Jimmy Ellingham: finance minister Nicola Willis talks targets, MPs' pay and the upcoming Budget; a tiny North American ghost town turns boom town for a total solar… Audio
Six60 launch their grassroots tour at Te Kao Marae in Far North
Aotearoa's biggest band is about to hit the far north, Six60 are playing the Te Kao Marae on their grass roots tour, Jimmy Ellingham spoke with marae comittee member and treasurer Rosie Conrad. Audio
Flooded Hawkes Bay primary school holding lessons at church
A twice-flooded northern Hawke's Bay primary school is continuing to hold its lessons at a Mormon church. Its classrooms were damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle and Nuhaka school is hoping to be back in… Audio
Taumarunui gets rid of SOME of it's rusting railcars
RNZ Checkpoint's reporter in Palmerston North Jimmy Ellingham has been around the central North Island lately, he joins Nathan Rarere with some big transport stories from the region. Audio
Gisborne property owner calls out council for low ball valuation
A Gisborne property owner is calling out the council for what he believes is a low ball valuation. Shane Fell's property flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle and is now unihabitable. He believes the… Audio
Cars vs bikes - Changes to Palmerston North road expose battle lines
Cars versus bikes, changes to a 900 metre stretch of road in Palmerston North have exposed the battle lines between the two. Officials are sticking to their plan to introduce cycleways, much to the… Audio
Massey Uni labs making dairy-free milk products out of seeds
Scientists in Massey University's Palmerston North labs have come up with a way of making dairy-free milk products out of seeds. The university is so confident about its technology that it's gotten… Audio
Taumarunui: Work begins to get rid of old Auckland trains
Relief for residents of Taumarunui, as work finally begins on getting rid of the old Auckland commuter trains blighting the central North Island town once famous for its railway. The carriages were… Audio
Last bail out for Ruapehu - Luxon
Businesses that rely on Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa slopes are popping the corks after the government announced a 7 million dollar cash injection for the ski field. Meanwhile, those on the other side of… Audio
