Stories by Jimmy Ellingham
News
The first city in NZ to have a 100% electric bus fleet
The city's streets have become busier, but quieter, as 42 new electric buses roll out on new routes.
Fury after another suspected suicide at Palmerston North Hospital
The man's death came just a day after an attempt using the same method, RNZ understands.
Reality for businesses staring down the barrel of lengthy SH1 closure
Northland businesses are facing more than two months of disruption as repair work is carried out on a crucial link damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Lake Alice survivors receive apology from psychiatrists' college
But some survivors described the formal apology as "meaningless" and without emotion.
Senior doctor flies in from Australia to work on-site one week in four
Te Whatu Ora will not discuss how much this costs, but says the senior addictions clinician position the doctor fills is difficult to recruit for.
Two double drownings in five days highlight river dangers
Almost two years ago, Blae Ler Paw and Mu Mu drowned in the Manawatū River in Palmerston North. Just five days later, Toetu Tonisitino and Aukusitino Ioane died at the same spot.
'It's going to be a three-to-four year recovery, $1m-$1.5m probably' - station owner
Ten months after Cyclone Gabrielle, bad weather has left the recovery for many East Coast and Tairāwhiti farmers stuck in the mud.
'Everything's better': Teen ready to return home after London brain surgery
A Palmerston North teenager who had to travel to London for treatment after he suffered a deep brain bleed says he is on the mend. Audio
'Treated like the poor cousin': Waiting 10 months after cyclone
Two families whose homes were inundated by floodwaters describe how the cleanup is going. Audio
Man walks days to fundraise for rescue helicopter that saved his life
A Dannevirke man has completed the walk just six months after suffering horrific injuries when cutting down a tree in the rural back blocks.
Paroled murderer banned from Palmerston North
A murderer recently released from prison has failed to persuade authorities to let him enter Palmerston North ever again.
'Multi-year' consequences warned amid Massey University cuts
Palmerston North locals have received a stark warning: if Massey University keeps slashing staff and courses, it will enter a "death spiral", and the provincial city will wither.
Lego superfan building the blocks for cyclone recovery
Lego land is replacing limbo land this weekend in Palmerston North.
Prospect of El Niño summer putting extra stress on cyclone-battered farmers
The forecast hot, dry El Niño summer is placing extra stress on farmers battered by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Predicted $50m loss for Massey University this year
Massey University is forecasting a loss of more than $50 million this year, but is not saying how it sank into a financial hole.
Franz Josef tourism businesses see summer rush on the horizon
Tourism operators in Franz Josef are confident summer will herald a boon for the region, which was hit hard by Covid-19 lockdowns.
Levin crowd backs Winston Peters as he berates media, highlights policies
Levin residents who have heard from Winston Peters on the campaign trail are betting he will be back in the Beehive before long, and say they want to see him champion the issues others will not.
Teen faces surgeries overseas after suffering rare deep brain bleed
A Palmerston North teenager must make an expensive trip to London for two operations after he suffered a severe brain bleed more than two months ago.
Why a key figure at Lake Alice was not charged
Police had been preparing charges against the former lead psychiatrist at Lake Alice psychiatric hospital, before it was deemed he was too ill to face trial, documents reveal.
After 136 years, school shuts down following its last two students leaving
A rural primary school closing its doors is a victim of cost of living pressures, its principal says.
Toddler inspires therapy centre for children with disabilities
Little Stars in Palmerston North is the brainchild of a family who know only too well what access to therapy at an early age can do.
Justice system bogged down in 'delays of two to three years' for trials
NZ's district courts are still feeling the lingering effects of Covid-19, as the justice system clogs with cases - More than 140,000 court appearances have been delayed since March 2020.
'It just happened to be my day when I went out to bat'
One of New Zealand's most intriguing cricket mysteries is how Rodney Redmond could score a test 100 on debut and never play for his country again. Video, Audio
Parole Board unsure why child abductor's psych treatment left unfinished
Brendan Paul Henson said he was making progress before the sessions stopped, ahead of his expected release in February.
'It destroys the value of university' - Massey staff take stand against cuts
Massey University staff fearing for their careers and the quality of education on offer have made a personal plea to management to stop the cuts. Audio