Checkpoint

A home insurance hike of 300% over the past five years has left one Napier man shocked. Bluff Hill homeowner Harry Machiela says he's used to muttering expletives when the letter comes each year, but this year he crunched the numbers and the cost of his house and contents insurance has gone up a whopping 300%. He lives in Napier, but says his property isn't in a flood zone. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dunedin is gearing up to host the first All Blacks test of the year and local fans are confident the home side can take care of a depleted French team in Otepoti. A couple of Otago players are set to make their debuts at a sold out Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night, making the occasion all the more special for them and their families. Joe Porter reports.

Friendships will be put to one side this weekend when the Black Ferns take on the Black Ferns XV in a trial match in Whangarei on Saturday afternoon. Players admitted the hits at training have had a little extra heat behind them lately as hopefuls look to book their ticket to England. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's top female professional frisbee golf player is off to compete at the world champs in Finland later this month. Also known as disc golf players throw a frisbee into a series of metal baskets around an outdoor course. There are no age divisions and Michele Simpson will be up against people who make a living doing this full time. Aotearoa's top female pro frisbee golf player, Michele Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the dozens of people still missing after a ferry sinking near Balie, as well as residents on a set of remote Japanese islands being shaken by hundreds of earthquakes in just two weeks.

20% of New Zealanders are struggling to pay their power bills with 11% cutting back on heating their homes, according to Consumer New Zealand's latest energy survey. Stats NZ figures show the price of electricty has gone up almost 9% in 12 months. Some people have told Checkpoint they are in bed by five to save on heating costs, others are taking extreme measures like turning off their hot water cylinder or bathing in cold water. Consumer's Manager of Powerswitch, Paul Fuge spoke to Lisa Owen about how to keep your power bill down this winter.

Australia Correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian Government vowing to move quickly to improve safety in childcare, in the wake of distressing revelations about the potential abuse of an unknown number of young children in childcare centres in Melbourne.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

New Zealand Para skier Adam Hall has been selected for a record-equalling sixth Paralympic Winter Games. He enters the record books alongside Graham Condon and Michael Johnson who competed at six Paralympic Summer Games. Hall, who was born with spina bifida, will compete in Slalom Standing and Giant Slalom Standing at the Games in Milano Cortina next year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some former students now living overseas have told Checkpoint they are too scared to come home because they could be arrested for being behind in payments, with heavy penalties adding up. Students loans are interest free unless people head off shore for more than 6 months. In April the interest rate went up to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers is 8.9%. IRD emailed more than three and half thousand student loan defaulters earlier this year warning them they are being monitored, and could face additional enforcement including arrest at the border. One expert doesnt think IRD's tactics are working. Tax specialist Terry Baucher spoke to Lisa Owen.