Thursday's headlines: Accused killer seeks separate trials on kidnap and murder charges; Pianoshop Ltd placed in liquidation with debts of more than $2 million; Prince's Foundation concerned about post-quake heritage decisions in Canterbury.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald reports the family of Auckland teenager Christie Marceau, 18, are bracing themselves for a 'double serve of heartbreak' as the man charged with kidnapping and later killing her, fights for separate trials.
Christie's mother Tracey, who is expected to be called as a prosecution witness, says she's unsure how her family would cope with two trials.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times leads with an investigation into the death of how a young first-time mother died, only six hours after giving birth.
Casey Nathan, 20, died at Waikato hospital on Monday night and her family is now awaiting the outcome of an autopsy to find the cause of her death.
Relatives are now reeling from a double blow, after the baby boy she gave birth to, died on Wednesday evening.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post leads with the demotion of Shane Jones, after Labour leader David Shearer asked the Auditor General to investigate why he granted citizenship to a Chinese millionaire, who is now on trial for passport fraud.
The paper also reports that about 200 people who bought or sold pianos through a Plimmerton shop, face being left out of pocket after Pianoshop Ltd was placed in liquidation this week. Documents show the store ran up debts of more than $2 million by the start of March after being hit by slowing sales and poor trading decisions.
The Press reports an adviser to Prince Charles fears ''short-sighted'' heritage decisions are adding to the devastation of the Canterbury earthquakes.
The concerns are raised in a letter from the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment to Christchurch heritage campaigner Rodney Laredo.
Locomotive engineer Todd Heweston, 20, the youngest in the country's youngest, is pictured after he set out for his first solo run from Christchurch to Otira.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times reports on support for a proposal by Dunedin City Council to extend Dunedin's CBD liquor ban to North Dunedin.
However, eight submitters wanted to see the ban extended further, including the University of Otago, which thinks there might be merit in extending it to include the entire city.
The paper also reports Dunedin city councillor Bill Acklin faces a second conviction for drink-driving after he failed a breath test in Green Island at the weekend.
