Friday's papers: Tainui plans to develop $80 million hotel in Auckland in time for 2011 Rugby World Cup; sudden jump in number of cars being stolen in Auckland city; NZ seen as a nation of "Mummy's boys".
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald reports the Tainui tribe is planning to develop an $80 million hotel in Auckland, possibly in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Police believe skilled professional thieves are behind a sudden jump in the number of cars being stolen from car parks in Auckland city.
The head of a US intelligence agency, Lieutenant General Keith Alexander, is in Wellington for secret talks with his New Zealand counterparts.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post says 111 police personnel have been reprimanded for failing to log serious calls, swearing at a caller, and snooping on the public through using a criminal database.
A thief has broken into a room for the families of sick children at Wellington hospital and stolen money gained by fundraising.
And the hospital has binned all magazines and children's toys in patient waiting rooms, to stop the spread of swine flu.
The Press
The Press reports banks are easing their lending criteria in a move which should help first-home buyers.
A South Korean tourist was killed and four others injured when a tour bus skidded on black ice and crashed while travelling to Milford Sound.
And the paper declares New Zealand to be a nation of "Mummy's boys" as a survey finds 20% of men aged between 20 - 34 live with their parents - compared to 13% of women.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times says Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin was shouted down as retailers vented their fury at changes to the city's parking policy at a meeting last night. Some said the changes, for which councillors are admitting mistakes in the implementation, had seen their takings drop by 40%.
And the council is considering using private companies to run the city's water and wastewater assets.
Murder accused Clayton Weatherston says Sophie Elliott was flirty and forward. He admits manslaughter, but denies her murder.
