Thursday's headlines: The Government is about to strip Christchurch City Council of all its planning powers according to Labour, high prices deter fans at Westpac stadium in Wellington; boy racer car seized for a second time by police.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with a woman who has lost two husbands in road accidents. Isobel Hutching lost her first husband in 1989 and her second last year.
A man has been charged over a tagging incident which left an Australian military aircraft vandalised with graffiti three years ago. DNA from a droplet of spit led to the arrest.
Waikato Times
The roads are also the focus of the lead in The Waikato Times. Police are warning drivers to take care in the bad weather that is expected over Easter.
And the paper profiles Corporal Douglas Hughes of Tuakau who died in Afghanistan this week. His family tells the paper how much Dougie was looking forward to coming home, and of all the plans he had.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post tells the story of Chrissy Wray, 54, who has terminal cancer. She wanted to cash a cheque to pay for her funeral and take one last trip to see the Waitomo glow worms.
But Westpac told her it would take a month as they needed to post the cheque to Perth and have it sent back again.
And the paper talks to fans about why crowds are small for events at Westpac stadium in Wellington. They say ticket prices are too high, and food and drink inside the stadium is also too expensive.
The Press
The Press leads with the Labour Party claiming the Government is about to strip Christchurch City Council of all its planning powers over the central city rebuild and give them to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is refusing to confirm or deny the claims but is describing Labour MP Lianne Dalziel's comments as a crazy rant.
Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen is to perform a one-man show at Akaroa in May to raise funds for the repair of the Isaac Theatre Royal.
And a proposed rates rise will leave Christchurch with world class facilities, according to the city council.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads with the first car destined to be crushed under boy racer legislation being seized for a second time by police. It was switched at the last minute at the time of its initial confiscation.
Restaurant Brands has been fined $15,000 for a spill of oil and fat from the Roslyn KFC outlet.
And the paper previews the Warbirds Over Wanaka international air show this weekend.
