Monday's papers: life sentences to mean life for murderers under National; minor parties begin their election campaigns; upheaval in financial markets expected to continue.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with National's plans to make life sentences mean life for murderers with previous convictions for violence. The policy will also mean no parole for repeat violent offenders who would be forced to serve their entire sentence.
In an apparent reversal of the brain drain, New Zealanders working in the struggling finance sector in the UK are seeking to return home where prospects are now looking brighter.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post also leads with National's get tough policy for violent offenders.
The World of Wearable Arts, held at the weekend, has confirmed it will be staying in the capital for the next four years. The festival is estimated to be worth $10 million a year, attracting people from around New Zealand and from overseas.
A psychologist says winning Lotto might not make you happy and could even turn your life into a nightmare.
The Press
The Press reports the minor parties lashing at Labour and National with the Greens, New Zealand First and the Maori Party hitting the hustings at the weekend.
Winston Peters has attacked National's leader as a "greedy merchant banker", while the Greens named Labour and National Mother Coke and Father Pepsi for presenting similar policies.
The paper reports that one in five schools and almost half of private education providers are failing to provide the necessary care required by international students.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times predicts the upheaval in northern hemisphere markets will continue while the $US 700 billion bailout deal is implemented.
It also covers the minor parties making their case for why they will make good coalition partners.
A Dunedin woman has donated her eggs so that her sister can have a baby through in-vitro fertilisation.
