Thursday's papers: Labour going to extraordinary lengths to derail John Key's election campaign and tarnish his reputation; customers being offered incentives to stay with Contact Energy.
The New Zealand Herald says Labour is going to extraordinary lengths to derail John Key's election campaign and uncover his knowledge of a notorious white-collar crime in the 1980s.
The Herald says Labour has now pulled back from what it originally believed was a "neutron bomb" against the National Party leader, but has pushed on with what the paper says is a concerted effort to tarnish his reputation.
The Dominion Post says Labour has been digging through Mr Key's past in attempt to link him to sham currency deals, in what National is labelling a desperate smear campaign.
In other news:
The Herald reports Far North district Mayor Wayne Brown has blasted weather forecasts that he says caused thousands of holiday-makers to cancel Labour Weekend breaks in the Bay of Islands - and he wants an apology.
The Press describes a mystery phone call from two pipepline workers now dead or mising in a boat off the Christchurch coast.
The paper says there are unanswered questions about a potential one-hour delay in authorities being notified of the missing men.
The Otago Daily Times reports Contact Energy is said to be offering incentives to stay with the company in an attempt to halt a flood of customers signing with its competitors.
