Tuesday's headlines: NZ homes reportedly overvalued by 25%; 1979 cold case arrest; peony growers say Asian markets are now more lucrative than the United States for export blooms.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald says an arrest in a 1979 cold case was a 'bolt out of the blue' for family of Rodney Tahu. Mr Tahu was shot twice in the forecourt of the Turangi garage where he worked. Now, a Rotorua man, aged 70, has been charged with his murder.
The paper also reports that New Zealand homes are overvalued by 25%and the country is one of nine under threat of a housing bubble burst according to The Economist.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times also leads with the arrest in the Tahu case. The paper says a pensioner was buying a sandwich at a shop in Rotorua, when police bundled him into a car and charged him with the murder of Mr Tahu.
The paper also carries a picture of Sonny Bill Williams in a boxing ring and says rumours are swirling that his next bout is set to be in Hamilton.
The Dominion Post
An arrest in the Tahu cold case also makes the front page of The Dominion Post. The paper says the arrested man, who has interim name suppression, talked and joked at the doorstep of his house on Monday after appearing in Rotorua District Court.
He told the paper: "I don't know who shot him. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has broken his silence over the Rugby World Cup final, admitting he was "surprised" the IRB did not cite French player Aurelien Rougerie for eye gouging.
The Press
The Press leads with a plea to save New Zealand rivers. A report by The Conservation Authority says inadequately protected rivers are being pushed towards crisis point by economic development and it's calling for greater government commitment to rivers.
The paper also reports on Gordon Ward, one of Pike River Coal's top managers, refusing to appear for the Royal Commission of Inquiry.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads with a police operation targeting alcohol abuse in the South which netted 25 drink-drivers and uncovered five breaches of the Sale of Liquor Act at hotels, 18 arrests for alcohol-related offending, more than 30 liquor-ban warnings and seven warnings for minors drinking.
The paper also says "Asia has growers in the pink". Peony growers say Asian markets are now proving more lucrative than the United States for export blooms.
