Auckland swelters through record dry spell; changes to driving age don't go far enough for some; David Benson-Pope gets ready to return to public life.
NZ Herald
A police officer broke down in tears as he described the moments before the accidental fatal shooting of teenager Halatau Naitoko on an Auckland motorway last year.
Auckland is weathering a dry spell, with February seeing the lowest rainfall since records began in 1959.
And the Destiny Church is being attacked by former members who describe it as nothing more than a money-making venture.
Dominion Post
Kerry Prendergast has confirmed she will stand for a fourth term as Mayor of Wellington.
The Government's three strikes policy for violent offenders is heavily criticised by the Ministry of Justice which warns the policy will be unfair, and potentially breach human rights.
St Patrick's College has won the region's schools athletics competition.
The Press
The Press leads with the driving age increasing to 16, but the widow of a Christchurch city councillor who was killed in a car crash believes it should be higher.
A retired Tasman couple are bewildered after receiving a court notice for parking fines dating back 22 years. They say they had not previously received the tickets.
The paper has photos of Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers training with the Crusaders rugby squad.
Otago Daily Times
The Otago Daily Times says people in Otago and Southland referred for resthome care in future will be stood down for about six months to see if they can be supported at home. The paper describes it as another move to cut spending on the elderly.
Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson says the Alexandra Blossom Festival is far from dead, and public support will make sure it carries on.
David Benson-Pope is making a return to public life. The former Cabinet Minister is to sit as an independent planning commissioner for the Dunedin City Council.
