Wednesday's headlines: changes to St John Ambulance services; Hamilton's flirtation with V8 Supercars cost ratepayers almost $40 million; girl fighting for her life after setting herself alight.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with sweeping changes to St John Ambulance services in an effort to stem a loss of $15 million per year. Under the new system, minor 111 calls will be redirected to a GP, or a St John officer will be sent in a car, rather than a double crew in an ambulance.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times carries a large picture of an American Staffordshire Terrier Jimbo.
A High Court battle between Jimbo's owner Carolyn King and South Waikato District Council, which wants the dog destroyed, has cost more than $67,000 and looks likely to rise further. And as Auckland prepares to host its first V8 Supercars round at Pukekohe early next year, the final bill for Hamilton's five-year flirtation with the race is in. A report by staff on the event puts the total expenditure from rates at almost $40 million.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post reports a girl, aged three, is fighting for her life with severe burns to her face and body after setting herself alight in a horrific accident.
She set fire to her clothes while playing with either matches or a lighter at her home near Martinborough on Monday. Her father frantically beat the flames out, burning both his hands in the process. The paper also features a story about Dunedin-born soprano Marla Rodriguez, who performed The Star-Spangled Banner on Tuesday at the former site of the World Trade Center in New York, marking 11 years since the terror attacks.
The Press
The Press reports on a notice of motion filed by Tuesday by Councillor Glenn Livingstone, calling for Christchurch City Council to challenge the Government's decision not to hold regional council elections in Canterbury next year.
The paper also reports a giant inflatable rugby ball is coming to Christchurch and will be transformed into a restaurant and bar on Manchester Street.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times reports the Edgar Centre, a large indoor sports venue in South Dunedin, is seeking a major naming-rights sponsor and millions of dollars of sponsorship to help solve its financial challenges.
Euthanasia campaigner Paula Westoby, 83, died in her Dunedin home this week. She made national headlines in 2008 when she had "Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed on her chest.
