27 Jun 2013

Morning Report: local papers

7:43 am on 27 June 2013

Thursday's headlines: New evidence claimed by David Bain defence team which wants an immediate pardon for him; Defence wants to spend $600 million creating a cyber army; Auckland will have to fund half the cost of the city rail link.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald leads with pictures of Robin and David Bain. The paper says a new defence team inquiry indicates marks on Robin Bain's thumb were the result of him loading a rifle shortly before his death, and that he in fact murdered his wife and three of their children in 1994.

Auckland will have to fund half the cost of the city rail link through rates rise or congestion charges. The paper says the cost of the $2.8 billion project will be split between the Goverment and Auckland Council.

Waikato Times

The Waikato Times reports on the loss of 129 jobs at the Waikato mail centre as New Zealand Post restructures its mail delivery operations across the country. Union delegate Robyn Conning said the news is a bombshell.

Hamilton Christian school is applying for state integration, in a bid to make fees more affordable and take pressure off other schools in the north-east of the city.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post leads with the news that Defence wants to spend $600 million creating a cyber army. The paper says the move could see combat units kitted out with drones, and robots.

And it has a picture of St Catherine's College pupils evacuated from a church in Newtown part-way through a funeral service for a school friend. The paper says the church was cleared amid fears it was structurally unsafe.

The Press

The Press reports on a builder's tearful plea as he was sentenced for his part in a $1.2 million cocaine deal. The Wanaka father of two, told the court his decision to get involved with the deal ruined his life.

And the paper has a picture of repairs that are underway at the Ashley Bridge in Rangiora. Last week's heavy rain washed away one of the bridge's structural supports.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times also covers the loss of New Zealand post jobs. About 73 jobs are going as part of the decision to close the Strathallan Street mail centre in Dunedin.

David Bain's lawyer wants him cleared and given an immediate pardon, in light of the new evidence which has emerged as part of a defence team inquiry.