29 Apr 2011

Friday's newspaper headlines

8:58 am on 29 April 2011

The royal wedding dominated the front pages of the main centre newspapers on Friday.

The New Zealand Herald featured William and Kate's new official photo under the heading "Happiest day of our lives".

The Dominion Post has a photo of Wellington couple Aaron Hape and Chloe Oldfield and says the ardent monarchists have decorated their flat in grand style for a wedding party.

The Otago Daily Times predicts the royal wedding will put some local marriages to the test, with the big occasion competing for attention with the Highlanders v Blues rugby match at Carisbrook on Friday night.

In other stories, the Dominion Post says that having seized the ACT party leadership from Rodney Hide, Don Brash is angling for a seat at the Cabinet table after the November elections. Under the heading "Triumph of the codgerati", the paper looks at how Dr Brash and his supporter John Banks pulled off the leadership coup.

The New Zealand Herald says a six-month old baby girl from Ngaruawahia has died in Starship hospital from injuries and the hunt has now begun for her killer.

The Press reports the Christchurch City Council has banned alcohol in public places throughout Riccarton and Ilam until November. It says the ban could become permanent and could be extended to other areas. The ban was prompted by a surge in drinking in the suburbs since the February earthquake put the central city's nightspots out of bounds.

The Otago Daily Times says tributes have been flowing for two men killed in a helicopter crash in the Mount Aspiring National Park.