Wednesday's headlines: 15,000 jobs have been created in Christchurch in the past year; $400,000 from employer by Auckland woman; and 42% rise in quad bike accidents in Waikato.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald leads with the story of Alexandra Holland, an Auckland woman who stole more than $400,000 from her employer to fund a lavish lifestyle. It says the money was taken from a law firm owned by Auckland councillor Victoria Carter and her husband John Carter.
Holland worked at the firm as Mr Carter's secretary and the paper says she defrauded the business by hiding cheques, which she would later bank in her own accounts.
Waikato Times
The Waikato Times says the number of quad bike accidents in the region is soaring.
A report published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery shows a 42% jump in Waikato hospital admissions for quad-bike injuries between 2009 and 2010.
The paper says the average age of someone injured in an accident is 38, and they are more likely to be male.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post features the story of new immigrant Philomena Nziramasanga, who says Wellington is friendly and has lots of opportunities. John Key last week told an Auckland business meeting that 'Wellington is dying and the Government does not know what to do about it'.
On Tuesday he apologised saying he should have chosen his words more carefully.
And the paper says members of the National party have been shown text messages from MP Aaron Gilmore to the lawyer Andrew Riches which appear to contradict assurances he gave to the Prime Minister.
On Tuesday Mr Gilmore made an apology for his behaviour at a Hamner Springs hotel, but denied he threatened to have Mr Key intervene to get a barman sacked.
The Press
The Press leads with the news that 15,000 jobs have been created in Christchurch in the past year. It says thousands are finding work in construction, healthcare, social work and hospitality as the city's recovery phase ramps up.
And the paper says a four year old West Coast boy and his mother huddled with their pet dogs for warmth, as they spent a night stuck down a steep bank on their family farm.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times leads with the heroic actions of Queenstown climber Ben Dave, who saved a companion knocked unconscious by an avalanche high up on a Himalayan mountain earlier this week.
A Dunedin mother wept as she signed a petition calling for the immediate ban of synthetic cannabis. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the paper her son, 18, is addicted to the drug.
