Poverty trap set at birth; capital's council spends $1000 a day on food and alcohol; last Big Day Out for Auckland.
New Zealand Herald
There will be no more Big Day Out in Auckland after this Friday's event. It will continue in Australia, but organisers of the annual festival at Mt Smart Stadium say the Auckland event is no longer viable.
The paper has a study on poverty and success which shows those whose families were poor in their first 10 years of life are likely to earn less by the age of 30 than those who grew up in rich families.
Waikato Times
The paper says the mother of a Ngaruawahia baby who died in unexplained circumstances last April has had her new baby taken away from her by Child, Youth and Family.
Sir Colin Meads is questioning the decision to have joint captains for the Chiefs rugby team. He says it shows a lack of confidence in either man.
Dominion Post
Police think Johnsonville man Peter Black, whose body was found in a drain near Te Papa museum, lifted a grate to retrieve his lost keys and then fell in head-first.
Wellington City Council spends more than $1000 a day on food and alcohol, the paper reports.
The Press
The paper leads with a story on red zone home owners. It says more than 5000 have accepted the Government's offer to buy their properties but some of those who haven't say they feel under pressure.
A breakthrough on the Pike River recovery effort is near, the paper says, but receivers say it could be four years before access to the mine is properly established.
Otago Daily Times
Dunedin City council has assessed the area's intersections for the level of risk when the give way rules change in March and says only one intersection needs minor changes.
Health Minister Tony Ryall has refused to intervene in the dispute over staff numbers at Dunedin hospital.
A Polish tourist who wants to be an extra in The Hobbit movies has wandered the streets of Queenstown dressed as a goblin.
Three other tourists have been snapped. They took pictures of themselves stealing alcohol from a floating restaurant, then left their camera behind.
