Wednesday's headlines: More than 100 trampers stranded on Milford Track after two days of heavy rain; tourist stabbed at Waihi Beach; tributes paid to dead jockey.
NZ Herald
The stabbing of a tourist at Waihi Beach leads The New Zealand Herald. The paper talks to the man who found the victim and who was able to bandage him before medical assistance arrived. Last minute negotiations in the United States to avoid the fiscal cliff are also on the front page.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times devotes its entire front page to a report showing Hamilton City Council is considering big rates rises to fund development of the city - in some cases by as much as 70%.
But Mayor Julie Hardaker is playing down the idea of big rate rises, saying it's just an option being considered.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post leads with two deaths. A pedestrian was hit by a taxi in Levin on Tuesday, while a man has died after an assault in a street in Panmure.
There's a large photo of the first baby born in Wellington hospital this year. He was given an appropriate name - Taulogo New Year Taulogo.
The Press
The Press says walkers are welcoming the re-opening of several popular tracks. Many Port Hills tracks were closed after the February 2011 earthquake because of the risk of rockfall.
More than 100 trampers are stranded on the Milford Track after two days of heavy rain. Flood warnings have been issued for inland Canterbury.
MetService said rainfall in the West Coast and the Southern Alps could approach record levels.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads on a large fire at Olrig Station in central Otago. Station owner Richard Stephens has superficial burns and blisters, but said it's his own fault, as he was in the wrong place.
Wet weather is on the front page with holiday makers being warned to watch for rising river and lake levels. Hundreds of campers in the Waitaki Valley are facing the possibility of a holiday wash-out.
And there are tributes to jockey Ashlee Mundy who died on Monday after a fall at a race meeting in Kurow.
