30 Oct 2012

Morning Report: local papers

7:06 am on 30 October 2012

Tuesday's headlines: More Maori now live in southern Queensland than Hamilton; Wellington City Council staff favour a super-city for the region; police officer ordered off the CTV building site as he tried to rescue quake survivors.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald leads with a satellite picture of Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

The police officer left in charge of the CTV wreckage in Christchurch says he was ordered off the site by search and rescue officials as he tried to rescue survivors.

Sergeant Mike Brooklands told an inquest into the deaths of eight students in the collapsed building that he 'would have liked assistance' from a more senior officer despite the strain on resources.

Waikato Times

The Waikato Times reports more Maori now live in southern Queensland than Hamilton. But many are also struggling in Australia, with a researcher describing Maori as among the country's most "disenfranchised" immigrant groups.

A man is to appear in court after an axe rampage through a BNZ bank branch in Whangamata.

Dominion Post

On the eve of a report by Sir Geoffrey Palmer on Wellington's local government future being published, The Dominion Post says Wellington City Council staff favour a super-city.

Sir Geoffrey would not reveal details, but said the report would include a proposal that was ''absolutely, fundamentally different.''

Ever wanted told your boss where to stick the job? A Hutt Valley bus driver did and has been awarded $10,000 after a hasty sacking.

The Press reports on comments by Cr Glenn Livingstone who says a 'fundamental culture shift' is needed at Christchurch City Council to meet Government plans to make housing more affordable.

Also featured is a photo of Carazo Pedro, the owner of Pedro's Restaurant which was destroyed in the February 2011 quake. Mr Pedro is back in business and will be operating temporarily out of a container in a car park on Papanui Rd.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times reports a decision to partially re-open John Wilson Ocean Dr has finally been made - albeit one that would cost $160,000.

Several decisions have been made about the road's future, but none has stuck since it was closed indefinitely in 2008, following a two-year closure for the installation of a sewer outfall pipe.