4 Dec 2013

Morning Report: local papers

7:15 am on 4 December 2013

Wednesday's headlines: New Census data shows Dunedin labour force is shrinking; Christchurch City Council may have to revisit its rebuild deal with the Crown; Brian Tamaki's right-hand man is setting up his own church.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald says Brian Tamaki's right-hand man has left Destiny Church to set up his own organisation.

Richard Lewis, a former police detective and political candidate, is believed to have left to start his own church in Manukau City.

Also in the paper figures from the latest Census on pay rates across the country, and there's coverage of international pop star Taylor Swift's visit to Waiheke Island.

Waikato Times

The Waikato Times has a story about Sarah Warren, 47, of Putaruru, a mother of four who walked 25km to attend a mandatory appointment at Work & Income. She told the paper that without a car or public transport to get to Tokoroa she had no option but to walk.

A new baby zebra at Hamilton Zoo is pictured. The female foal was delivered by the zoo's 11-year-old Zebra Mirabai late on Sunday night.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post leads with the headline 'Henry inquiry heavily censured'. An investigation by Parliament's Privileges Committee found it was 'unacceptable' that emails, phone and swipe card records were handed over to the inquiry, which was looking into who leaked a report on the GCSB to journalist Andrea Vance.

And new Census figures show the average Wellingtonian is richer, older and more likely than ever to have been born overseas.

The Press

The Press suggests Christchurch City Council may have to revisit its rebuild cost-share deal with the Crown because of overly-optimistic predictions about earthquake insurance payouts.

The St Andrews Hill home of Sarah Marsh is pictured. The roof of the house is painted with the words 'southern no response', an expression of how Ms Marsh feels about her treatment from the insurer Southern Response.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times leads with pictures of Black Caps Brendon McCallum and Ross Taylor after both scored centuries against the West Indies on day one of the first cricket Test in Dunedin.

In other news: the paper says new Census data shows Dunedin is poorer than other New Zealand centres, and that its labour force is shrinking. The paper also has details of a burglary at the home of an Oamaru man, 94.