Super city mayor-elect Len Brown tells Government he will focus on three rail projects; analysts tip Kerry Prendergast to lose Wellington mayoralty; Paul Henry 'quit before he was pushed'; Canterbury fans welcome back Ranfurly Shield.
NZ Herald
The paper says Len Brown has wasted no time telling the Government the mandate he has as mayor-elect will be focused on three rail projects. Mr Brown met Prime Minister John Key at the opening of Eden Park, and while the paper describes it as a happy occasion, both leaders staked out their position on the future of Auckland.
In a comment piece, the Herald says there will be glum faces around the Cabinet table today as a result of the left-leaning victory.
Inside, the paper publishes in full broadcaster Paul Henry's statement on his resignation from TVNZ, and has reaction to his departure.
Dominion Post
Analysts are tipping Kerry Prendergast's tenuous hold on the Wellington mayoralty will be undone by a wave of Green special votes. Ms Prendergast currently leads Celia Wade Brown with a margin of just 40.
On Paul Henry, the paper says the Breakfast host quit TVNZ before he was pushed, with chief executive Rick Ellis admitting fallout over the presenter's racial slurs was threatening advertising.
The Press
Re-elected Christchurch mayor Bob Parker is already under fire from a potential deputy mayor for wanting to fast-track the swearing in of the new council.
In another significant victory, it may be less than a year since Canterbury last held the Ranfurly Shield, but that did not dull the joy of fans who welcomed it back on Sunday. A red-and-black crowd of about 150 gathered at Christchurch Airport to celebrate the 26-16 win over Southland.
Otago Daily Times
Southern councils are said to be in for a shake-up after voters demanding change handed the mayoral chains to new leaders. In Dunedin, outgoing mayor Peter Chin paid the price for backing the new stadium, helping Dave Cull seize the mayoral chains. Elsewhere, long-serving incumbent mayors Malcolm Macpherson (Central Otago) and Juno Hayes (Clutha) were both unseated.
