Thursday's headlines: new flag urged for NZ; gender gap growing in Dunedin; school terms to be reorganised for 2011 Rugby World Cup; hot weather expected for IRB Rugby Sevens tournament.
NZ Herald
Under the heading "We need a new flag", The New Zealand Herald devotes most of its front page to that issue.
The paper says "the familiar flag with the Union Jack dates from an era when New Zealand was a British Dominion - we believe New Zealand deserves something more distinctive."
A lead article says 18 of the 22 holders of the Order of New Zealand want a change. A display shows how similar the NZ flag is to 29 other flags of countries and territories that also include the Union Jack in their flag.
Also on the front page: passengers on a flight from Sydney to Auckland on Tuesday faced anxious moments as the pilot warned them to be prepared for an emergency landing. The plane landed safely.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post says the death of a rest home resident after an altercation with another dementia patient has prompted fresh calls for an overhaul of the aged care system.
A woman, 71, sentenced to prison on a charge of drink-driving causing death will struggle to cope in prison, according to her supporters.
Hot weather is expected for the IRB Rugby Sevens tournament in Wellington at the weekend.
The Press
The Press reports school terms willl be reorganised next year to fit in with schedules for the Rugby World Cup. The move is to ease pressure on traffic during the tournament.
A plan by broadcaster Simon Barnett to subdivide a resort he owns at Hamner Springs is facing opposition from residents.
The Christchurch Arts Centre has hired a private investigator to look into claims sensitive information was linked to opponents of a proposed music school at the centre.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads with an increase of 40% in the number of district court cases awaiting trial. The Law Society says this is because of the abolition of deposition hearings.
And the gender gap is growing: especially in Dunedin, which now has 59,000 men and 64,000 women. Demography professor Natalie Jackson says part of the reason is males in their 20s are more likely to head for Australia.
