Thursday's headlines: Burglar found dead body hanging in the dark in a house in Hamilton; 9pm deadline on alcohol sales mooted in Wellington; Facebook has removed a page displaying intimate photos of Dunedin students.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald says a burglar made a shocking discovery when he stumbled upon a dead body hanging in the dark as he snooped around a house. His terrified screams alerted neighbours to a commotion at the house in Hamilton early on Wednesday.
It is understood the burglar then rang police and reported himself, in order to raise the alarm.
The Waikato Times
The Waikato Times reports two counsellors have taken legal action against a Hamilton school, claiming the high number of student suicides and deaths left them suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
But while the Employment Relations Authority has ruled against the pair, the paper says the case has helped to highlight the growing pressure on counsellors to cope with a "huge demand" for their services.
The front page also carries a picture of a tornado which hit the ground south of Hamilton on Wednesday afternoon, as wild weather made its way up the country.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post says supermarkets and liquor stores in Wellington could be forced to stop selling alcohol after 9pm.
Wellington City Council says the move would force pre-loaders to plan their drinking more carefully, and help stop people sneaking alcohol into the central city. The paper also features Newlands College year 12 pupil Ruby Pleasants in her ball dress. Miss Pleasants told the paper she spent $500 on her school ball, but understands why some girls spend even more on the chance to resemble a reality-TV star for one night.
The Press
The Press reports the Government has stepped into the battle to build on a prime Christchurch shopping block and is threatening to use its emergency earthquake powers to break the development deadlock.
The City Mall block has more than a dozen owners, and negotiations between them and the developers is the key stumbling block.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times reports Facebook has removed a page displaying intimate photos of Dunedin students. The move comes amid concerns over "babe of the day" pages, especially after the phenomenon spread to Dunedin high school pupils. Wrap up warm! The front page has pictures of supermarket shoppers stocking up on supplies in Dunedin and Wanaka ahead of the wintry blast.
