Man ditches home insurance after huge price jump based on risk

Audio, Radio New Zealand

A Christchurch man has ditched his home insurance after his premiums went up $1000, or 30% a year based on new risk pricing. Tower insurance has taken into account the risk of sea surge and landslips for the Burwood home, as well as earthquakes and flooding. But Trevor Taylor says his home is several kilometres from the sea and he can't fathom the insurer Tower's sea surge assessment. Trevor Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Ironbark - the wood as hard as steel

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Ever wondered what happened to some of the damaged timber from the Lyttelton wharves after the Canterbury earthquakes? The tough ironbark they were made from was too good not to be rescued and Oxford's Steve Evans was just the man for the job, as Mark Leishman discovered.