11 Jan 2010

Summer Report: local papers

1:52 pm on 11 January 2010

Monday's headlines: Environment Court backs plan to generate electricity from swift tides in the Kaipara Harbour; police want more effort put into educating foreign tourists about driving in NZ; cherry growers not impressed by rain at peak harvest time.

ODT

Rising house prices make the front page of The Otago Daily Times.

South Dunedin recorded the highest increase nationally, with values up by 8.7% in December.

Rain in Central Otago on Sunday was welcomed by farmers and the Fire Service, but cherry growers were less impressed.

It was the first significant downpour since mid-May, but the cherry harvest is at its peak and moisture can split the fruit, downgrading it.

The Press

The Press pictures a policewoman who was dragged along the road when she tried to stop a man driving off in her patrol car at a checkpoint.

She is shown being treated in the ambulance at the scene. She suffered a head injury and injuries to her leg and ankle

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post reports Eugene Dadi, is the new hero of Wellington Phoenix fans.

The former Ivory Coast international arrived in Wellington last week and scored two goals in his first match on Saturday, helping the team to a 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar.

Double murderer Rufus Junior Marsh has died in prison at the age of 53.

The cause of death is not known yet, but the paper says it's not thought to be suspicious.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald reports the Environment Court has made a positive recommendation to Conservation Minister Tim Groser on a plan to generate electricity from Kaipara Harbour's swift tidal flow.

Crest Energy wants to sink 200 turbines to the seabed to create New Zealand's first tide-driven power station.

Police want more effort put into educating foreign tourists about driving in New Zealand. Several have died in car accidents this summer.

The Herald also says road safety for overseas visitors will be a major focus before next year's Rugby World Cup. One idea is to work with rental companies to ensure tourists are given standard guidelines before they get behind the wheel.