Jimmy Ellingham
70,000 vehicles fitted with unsafe breaks, caused six deaths
Tens of thousands of trucks in New Zealand are fitted with unsafe brakes that could fail at anytime. That is according to a damning coroners report into the death of an Auckland worker nearly eight… Audio
Concerns about head of government advisory group being
It can be revealed concerns about the head of a government advisory group on crime are being kept secret. A Checkpoint investigation has found three staff members contracted to the Ministerial… Audio
Appeal into stronger sentence for spying soldier kicks off
Should the clanging of prison gates replace the rigour of military detention for a soldier who tried to spy on New Zealand? That's the decision a panel of three judges will now grapple with after a… Audio
Fakes and Forgeries exhibition opening in Mangaweka
In a competition inspired by the famous Foxton forger, dozens of artists have submitted their best imitations in the hope of earning a coveted central North Island counterfeiting crown. The biennial… Audio
Suppression of Espionage prosecution details to be re-examined
The veil of secrecy still shrouding much of a first-of-its-kind military prosecution for attempted espionage could lift next week, when suppression orders are re-examined. Jimmy Ellingham reports. Audio
Around the motu: RNZ's Manawatu reporter, Jimmy Ellingham
The winners and losers in local government elections, as stoush over a Palmerston North park and letting dogs off the leash and the opening of a new mental health ward. Audio
Owners given assistance dogs from uncertified trainer
No support and a lot of stress. That's how some clients of K9 Search Medical Detection feel after getting disability assistance dogs from the Manawatu trainer. As previously revealed by Checkpoint, it… Audio
Investigation on dogs certified by unaccredited trainer
Officials are investigating complaints about dogs certified by a Manawatu disability assistance dog trainer that's had its accreditation removed. K9 Search Medical Detection was dropped from the list… Audio
Regional school bus funding stalemate continues in Manawatu
In Manawatu, regional reporter Jimmy Ellingham tells Nathan the latest on school bus funding, and also heads to Hawke's Bay where he tries to figure out the story of the two Woolworths supermarkets… Audio
Why does Napier have two Woolworths supermarkets?
It's a case of double vision that nobody can really explain. Shoppers in Napier can buy their groceries from one of two Woolworths in the central city - diagonally opposite each other, seperated only… Audio
New mental health ward opens in Palmerston North
More than 11 years after the deaths of two patients at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward triggered damning reviews into the facility, a replacement has been opened. But the families of… Audio
Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham
Jimmy discusses local elections, unrest in Levin and the transformation underway in the centre of Palmerston North.
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Sharp rise in assaults on hosptial workers
Each year thousands of hospital workers are assaulted on the job. New figures obtained by Checkpoint show a 30% rise in assaults in just two years to over 7000 in the 12 months to June. One frontline… Audio
Petition urging government to reopen Chateau Tongariro
"Save our chateau". That's the message Ruapehu's mayor is hoping politicians will hear tomorrow when he drops a petition off to parliament signed by thousands of people. The petition is urging the… Audio
Should shops be allowed to defend with pepper spray?
Should shopkeepers be allowed to defend themselves with pepper spray? It is an idea the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime has consulted on with industry players. But, the proposal faces stiff… Audio
Mayors to be elected unopposed
Voting papers are about to arrive for the local body elections, but for residents in two districts they won't include anything about a mayoral contest. The mayors of Manawatu, in the lower North… Audio
Living in Levin - what's life like behind the headlines?
A Gang Conflict Warrant remains in place in Levin, giving police extra powers after a string of gang-related shootings. The Horowhenua town also played the unwitting host of a boy racer invasion over… Audio
Living in Levin - what's life like behind the headlines?
A Gang Conflict Warrant remains in place in Levin, giving police extra powers after a string of gang-related shootings. The Horowhenua town also played the unwitting host of a boy racer invasion over… Audio
Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Manawatu
The background to the spying court martial held at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, cuts to counselling service hours,child literature masters and candidates for local government elections… Audio
Palmerston North first XV to play for fourth national title
A school girls' first XV rugby team is about to play for an unprecedented fourth national title in a row. The team, from Manukura in Palmerston North, are put through their paces every day at the… Audio