Jimmy Ellingham
Owners separated from furry friends due to cyclone aftermath
After losing their homes, some people displaced by Cyclone Gabrielle are now living apart from their pets. No-pet clauses are common in rental agreements, meaning some are finding it hard to get a… Audio
NZ athletes fly to Berlin for Special Olympics
Thirty-nine New Zealand athletes will tomorrow board a plane for Berlin to compete in the Special Olympics.
For many of the competitors, who have intellectual disabilities, the event is the first… Video, Audio
Ōtaki since expressway: Easier to shop, but a bit too quiet for some
Known for its outlet stores and speciality shops, the lower North Island town of Ōtaki was also famous as a traffic bottleneck.
That was until the opening of a new expressway bypassing the town over… Video, Audio
Auckland retailers sceptical on more fog cannon funding
Embattled retailers doubt more money for fog cannons will stop the spate of ram raids they're experiencing.
The government's announced another $11 million for the fog cannon scheme - which the police… Video, Audio
Palmerston North Hospital staff working under 'siege mentality' - report
Many Palmerston North Hospital staff operate under a siege mentality, where they fear speaking out with concerns, and they often face barriers when trying to move patients between departments.
That's… Video, Audio
Mark Lundy maintains innocence, denied parole again
Mark Lundy maintains he did not kill his wife Christine and 9-year-old daughter Amber in Palmerston North in 2000.
But these denials did not go down well with the Parole Board today, as the… Video, Audio
Seismic risks mean Chateau Tongariro unlikely to reopen soon
The Chateau Tongariro hotel looks unlikely to reopen its doors any time soon.
The Tongariro National Park landmark closed indefinitely in early February amid concerns about its structural soundness.
…Rangitīkei District recovers from slips, floods after weekend rain
A central North Island district is today recovering from the effects of a weekend deluge that brought down slips and flooded properties near waterways.
Rangitīkei District officials are still… Video, Audio
Loafers Lodge survivors face uncertain futures after major loss
Residents displaced by the Loafers Lodge fire are now faced with the reality of losing their homes, a sense of community, and even their friends.
Support service organisations in Wellington are… Video, Audio
Community in shock after fatal Loafers Lodge fire
In Wellington the Newtown and Mt Cook communities are in shock after the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road.
Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham talks to neighbouring residents.
Video, Audio
Loafers Lodge Fire: Residents describe chaos as blaze spread
A Loafers Lodge resident has described crawling on the floor through thick black smoke and running for his life, to get out of the burning building.
The resident, who didn't want to give his name… Video, Audio
Wellington Mayor on fatal Loafers Lodge fire
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau talks to Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham about the devastating fire at Loafers Lodge on Aidelaide Road.
Video, Audio
Loafers Lodge blaze: 'It doesn't get worse than this' - fire fighter
"It doesn't get worse than this." That from a fire commander at the blaze that's claimed multiple lives at Loafer's Lodge on Wellington's Adelaide Road.
The building appears to have caught fire just… Video, Audio
Work begins on new intersection to NZDF site at Ōhakea
Work is starting on a new intersection to a Defence Force site along a traffic pinch point in the lower North Island.
A roundabout will be built at the entrance to the Ōhakea Air Force base so the… Audio
Ohakune happy with news of new ski operators at Mt Ruapehu
After years of Covid disruption, a poor snow season and uncertainty around the future of Mt Ruapehu's ski fields, people in the North Island town of Ohakune have something to smile about.
They're… Audio
Dannevirke family's months-long wait for home access over river
After two months of using a dinghy, a husband and wife stranded by Cyclone Gabrielle can now leave home on a slightly less precarious river crossing.
The storm's heavy rain swelled the Manawatū… Video, Audio
Human rights lawyer critical of MSD scheme for abuse in care survivors
A human rights lawyer is appalled at what she says is cynical behaviour from the Ministry of Social Development in offering compensation to victims of state abuse.
While survivors wait for an… Audio
Development levy a 'scam' - Manawatū district councillor
A district councillor is taking on his own local body about the way it charges development levies.
Manawatū District councillor Andrew Quarrie says ratepayers are being ripped off, but the council… Audio
Vets who faced British nuclear tests in 1950s have reunion
New Zealand sailors exposed to British nuclear tests in the Pacific in the 1950s remain unhappy they've never had a government apology for being placed in harm's way. This weekend veterans, now all… Audio
Whanganui carparks now accommodating city's homeless
Freedom camping sites and car parks in Whanganui are now home to a growing fleet of vehicles housing the city's homeless.
The district council has set aside money and earmarked a site for them to… Audio
