Ferry sinking in Tonga; young New Zealanders head back to study in record numbers; fugitive Casy Bowler-Moncur picked up on Thursday after three weeks on the run.
NZ Herald
The paper leads on the ferry sinking in Tonga and quotes a survivor as saying the vessel rolled so quickly in rough seas that women and children sleeping below decks had no chance of escape.
The New Zealand Herald reports that young New Zealanders have gone back to study in record numbers as unskilled jobs have disappeared in the recession.
And children spent 11 days playing with what they thought were the remains of a crocodile, found in a creek, but the body turned out to be human. It's thought it could be the remains of a woman who has been missing since January.
Dominion Post
The lead in the Dominion Post says ACT MP David Garrett is in hot water again after claims he challenged a Labour MP to "take this outside" during heated exchanges at a select committee.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is facing fresh questions about his Wellington accommodation expenses after Labour suggested he no longer qualified as an out-of-town MP.
Pupils of a Wainuiomata school have lost their second adopted kiwi in less then 18 months. The ravaged body of Fern was found in Rimutaka Forest Park last week, the victim of a dog attack.
The Press
The paper leads on the ferry sinking and says it sank within a minute leaving passengers and crew floundering in the water.
New Zealand's first nappy-composting business opens on Friday, a move the paper suggests could end concerns that using disposable nappies is damaging to the environment.
The Press also reports on the David Garrett story.
Otago Daily Times
The Tongan ferry sinking also leads the ODT which says Tongans in New Zealand are rallying in support of the families of victims.
Luck ran out for fugitive Casy Bowler-Moncur, picked up on Thursday after three weeks on the run. While being apprehended he was bitten by a police dog.
The paper talks to residents of Milford Sound which has had no road access since the avalanche last week. One worker says the ferry terminal has been "very quiet but very clean". Roads are not expected to be cleared until Monday.
