31 Aug 2011

Morning Report: local papers

7:06 am on 31 August 2011

Wednesday's headlines: rise in flu and respiratory illnesses hits hospitals in Auckland; poll support for Labour at 25.7%; ''affordable'' housing policy has cost Queenstown Lakes District Council $230,000 since 2006.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald leads with hospitals battling to cope with a rise in patients suffering from flu-like and respiratory illnesses. This month's cold snap is one of the factors being blamed for a sudden rush on hospitals. Middlemore was at 105% occupancy on Tuesday. And another cold southerly outbreak forecast means no let-up is expected.

The paper also reports that a survey of 750 people has found that Australia is the country New Zealanders least want to win the Rugby World Cup.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post says voters appearing to desert the Labour Party for the Greens. In its latest poll, the Greens have leapt to 11%. Their rise was at the expense of Labour, which has slumped to 25.7%.

Haters of the Wellywood sign have a chance to come up with something better to welcome visitors to the capital.

Wellington International Airport Ltd is to announcing a public ideas drive and voting scheme on Wednesday to decide what will go up on the Miramar cutting.

The Press

The Press leads with the $4 billion blow-out in the cost of the Canterbury quakes. The paper reports while the Government is urging calm, the sting in the tail for consumers is yet to take effect with bigger rises to insurance premiums and the earthquake levy on the cards.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times headline reads ''Are we ready? Are we what!'' The paper reports Dunedin is ready to roll out the welcome mat to Rugby World Cup visitors and teams alike. Cafe and bar owners have extended trading hours and changed menus in preparation for what is described as an event of ''unprecedented'' scale.

The paper also reports on a move by Queenstown Lakes District Council to ditch a plan change to deliver ''affordable'' housing, a policy that has cost the council $230,000 since 2006.