ASB fraudster uncovered when client saw documentary on Madoff; Agriculture Minister lashes out at dirty dairy farmers; recreational drug mephedrone aimed at Dunedin and Wanaka.
NZ Herald
The paper reveals that if it wasn't for American fraudster Bernie Madoff, Stephen Versalko could still be stealing millions. The largest employee theft in New Zealand history was discovered only after an ASB Bank client saw a television show about Madoff, and noticed the similarities with the stories Versalko was spinning her.
A Kerikeri mother has been killed by a driver who witnesses say was "extremely drunk" at 8am. Following the collision on Wednesday, wine from one vehicle spilled on to the road.
Dominion Post
Agriculture Minister John Carter has lashed out at dirty dairy farmers over a report showing "totally unacceptable" levels of effluent management.
Entry prices at Karori's wildlife sanctuary will almost double to pay for a multimillion-dollar visitor centre. Adult entries will leap from $15 to $28, amid fears the rise will put some tourists off.
The Press
Christchurch ratepayers will pay an extra $21 million so the city's new bus exchange can be built underground.
In a spate of crashes, three Christchurch cyclists were injured in rush-hour accidents on Thursday morning. Two accidents happened within metres of each other on the main road to Sumner when turning cars struck the cyclists.
Otago Daily Times
Dunedin and Wanaka are said to have accounted for nearly half of all New Zealand intercepts of the recreational drug mephedrone.
Three companies planning 16 dairy farms in the Omarama and Ohau areas are withdrawing from a resource consents process that could have cost them more than $3 million.
A Hilton hotel for Queenstown now looks certain, with the company advertising for a business development director and an operations director.
