Thursday's papers: 20% deposit now needed for a mortgage from the ANZ and National Bank group; Taieri College ordered the wrong papers for two NCEA level 1 maths exams.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald says the ANZ and National Bank group has doubled its minimum mortgage deposit.
From today, customers will need a 20% deposit as the banks will not offer loans for more than 80% of the purchase price.
Also on the front page: retired Opotiki teacher and weatherman John Rowe, 78, was found lying in a pool of blood in his bedroom. He is understood to have been bashed to death.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post says the Government is considering "contingency plans" to bail out big businesses facing funding problems.
Although he doesn't see any immediate problems for big firms, Finance Minister Bill English says a rescue net needs to be considered in case the global economic crisis hits hard here.
At least four New Zealanders are believed to be at Bangkok airport which is under seige by anti-government protesters.
The paper says the Government is unlikely to send the RNZAF to monitor a Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.
The Press
The Press reports one in five Canterbury dairy farms fail to meet environmental standards for effluent disposal.
Universities want the Government to increase funding or lift a cap on student fees amid fears for quality education.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times says Taieri College pupils will have to sit another exam after the school ordered the wrong papers for two NCEA level 1 maths exams.
Amid concern about slow sales, Dunedin stadium proponents are urging the 1600 people and businesses who registered an interest in buying seats, lounge memberships and corporate boxes at the Otago Stadium to start signing contracts for them.
