Wednesday's headlines: first day of the Scott Guy trial; Dunedin schools lost 1437 pupils in the past nine years; world premiere of Hobbit movie in Wellnigton in November.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with the first day of the Scott Guy murder trial. The paper quotes defence lawyer Greg King as telling the jury the death of Mr Guy is a 'classic whodunit'.
However, the Crown alleges it was a family feud between Scott Guy and his brother-in-law Ewen Macdonald - one driven by jealousy, rivalry, fear and ultimately rage.
In other news: Education Minister Hekia Parata has rejected a call to meet education groups opposing increased class sizes.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times also leads with the first day of the Scott Guy trial, when the Crown outlined a campaign of intimidation carried out by Mr Macdonald against his brother-in-law.
Meanwhile, the defence says it will argue that even though Ewen Macdonald admitted to having differences with Mr Guy, he was not his killer.
Dominion Post
It's the same top story in The Dominion Post, which is dominated by a large photograph of Mr Macdonald in the dock of the High Court.
During the first day of the trial, jurors were shown the gun allegedly used in the shooting and the footprint from the boots his killer is said to have worn.
The only other story on the front page says Wellington will roll out the red carpet once again this November, when the world premiere of The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey, is held at the Embassy Theatre.
The Press
The Press says Cantabrians are steeling themselves for the arrival of an early winter snowfall, which is expected to cause problems on roads and alpine passes and jeopardise power supplies and livestock.
And there are tributes to Christchurch architect Peter Beaven,
Mr Beaven, 86, has died peacefully after being diagnosed last year with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times says ambitious plans for Dunedin Prison have been revealed, with confirmation the 116-year-old property has been sold to a trust intent on transforming it into a tourist attraction.
Dunedin schools have lost 1437 pupils in the past nine years - the equivalent of 53 rooms full of children - and Statistics New Zealand demographers predict the decline will continue.
And there's the story of a Southland solo mother involved in a texting relationship with Jason Frandi in the months before he murdered a Czech backpacker.
Frandi described himself in texts to the woman as 'lovely.'
