Jimmy Ellingham

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey didn't make a Budget bid this year for more mental health service beds, despite them being at or over capacity. The Opposition says this is a massive oversight… Audio

There are mixed reactions to the government's announcement today of redress payments for those tortured in the Lake Alice psychiatric hospital's child and adolescent unit in the 1970s. The minister… Audio

A survivor of the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit, where children were tortured in the 1970s, has received an in-person apology from the Medical Council for not investigating a complaint he made… Audio

A man with disabilities is facing his fourth summer stuck in a hot and loud motel room while he waits for a state house to be modified for his wheelchair. New Plymouth's Shane Emeny spoke to… Audio

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

Jimmy Ellingham is our reporter in Manawatu, where he has an update on 80th anniversary celebrations for Polish WW2 refugees Audio

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

A big anniversary for the immigrant Polish community who arrived here after WW2 -Jimmy Ellingham has the story Audio

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

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