Monday's headlines: Dismissal of Christchurch City Council chief executive Tony Marryatt demanded by councillor; unpaid fines in New Zealand total almost $644 million; home insurance bills show an average increase of up to 30%.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with the headline 'Insurance Aftershock'. The accompanying story details how financial shocks of the Canterbury earthquakes are being felt by homeowners across the country, with the arrival of insurance bills showing an average increase of up to 30%.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times says drug testing of Waikato's workforce rose 78% last year.
However, the paper says up to 12 people a week were caught trying to cheat the tests with tools such as synthetic urine and prosthetic penises.
The paper also reports that a police chase, which had to be abandoned twice after reaching dangerously high speeds, finally ended in Hamilton on Sunday morning when the culprit drove into a police car.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post leads with a promise by Local Government Minister Nick Smith to kick start a pledge to investigate laws governing dangerous dogs. There was another dog attack on a child - the sixth in four weeks - on Sunday in Rotorua. A girl, 9, has deep cuts to her head and arm after being bitten by her neighbour's American bulldog.
The paper also reports a New Zealand couple are suing the state government in Queensland for discriminating against their disabled daughter.
The Press
The Press leads with a call by Christchurch City Council member Tim Carter for council chief executive Tony Marryatt to be sacked. The paper says Cr Carter was critical of Mr Marryatt on Sunday for acting ''as the 14th councillor'' at the council table" and is asking the Government to replace him with a commissioner.
A businessman who opened a restaurant and bar to keep his brewery afloat postearthquake, has now been given permission to build a shopping centre on the site. Alasdair Cassels has gained resource consent to build a $7 million boutique mall in the old Woolston tannery complex.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times says the company that runs the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, faces an annual rates bill of up to $2 million per year, a figure it has no ability to pay.
The paper also repots that unpaid fines in New Zealand amount to almost $644 million. The oldest outstanding fine - for "using a cheque under false pretences" - was imposed on 27 September, 1974. A warrant remains for the offender's arrest.
