Thursday's headlines: Possible referendum on the New Zealand flag; limited searches won't stop knives and screwdrivers being brought into the classroom; Jonah Lomu to be an ambassador for the Wellington 7s.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with the headline 'Flag it, says the Prime Minister' after John Key revived the debate into changing the New Zealand flag. The paper has a picture of the Silver Fern, which Mr Key favours, along with three alternative designs.
Double Grammy award-winner Lorde is pictured at her show in Auckland on Wednesday night and is called a "Hometown Heroine".
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times says Hamilton City Council has moved faster than expected to deal with retailers selling legal highs. Draft proposals would restrict sales to certain areas, but the Business Association is not happy with either of the plans being put forward.
In other news, the paper reports on a possible referendum on the national flag and says the Prime Minister has indicated it could be held alongside this year's election.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post reports that principals say new safety rules allowing them to look in students' bags - but not search them - will do little to guarantee safety.
The paper says the reality for schools is that weapons, including knives and screwdrivers, are being brought into the classroom and limited searches will not stop this.
A smiling Jonah Lomu is pictured on the Wellington waterfront. The former All Black has returned to the capital to be an ambassador for the Wellington 7s.
The Press
The Press reports that Finance Minister Bill English believes workers are right to expect pay rises after years of belt tightening. But the paper has spoken to some businesses who are not convinced that the time is right to start upping salaries just yet.
The paper also has a picture of two Riverton women who are helping at the fire station by babysitting the volunteer's children when the siren goes off.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times has spoken to a Dunedin hairdresser who is on the verge of signing an international contract for an environmentally friendly hair product that she dreamed up while making school lunches.
Amanda Buckingham has invented a new biodegradable system after being horrified at how much tin foil is used to colour hair.
And Dunedin City Council has scrapped a plan to raise rates for some businesses - but not others - to help pay for the Forsyth Barr Stadium's events fund.
