17 Dec 2008

Morning Report: local papers

9:24 am on 17 December 2008

New Zealand Herald

The New Zealand Herald says police and the Insurance Council are warning New Zealanders to brace for a summer holiday crimewave. Council figures show claims - including burglaries and car thefts - are currently running at $250 million a year or more than $475 a minute.

Incandescent light bulbs have been reprieved. Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee told Parliament on Tuesday he would not be going ahead with the previous Labour-led Government's plan to phase them out.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post front-page says the Corrections Department has told the Government up to four more prisons will be needed in the next eight years and there are concerns public safety may be at risk unless more staff can be found.

There is also a front page feature on the trials and tribulations of growing up as a Kiwi teenager. The paper says teens are fatter and still binge drink, but a new survey reveals they are happier than they were six years ago.

The Press

The paper says emergency department overcrowding, lack of junior staff supervision and poor discharge procedures have been cited by the Health and Disability Commissioner in a report into the case of Canterbury man Dean Carroll who died after being sent home from Christchurch Hospital.

The Press has a feature interview with Chris Kahui and his new partner. Seven months ago Chris Kahui was acquitted of murdering his twin sons. Three weeks ago he became a father again.

Otago Daily Times

The Otago Daily Times reports 36 children will receive free operations at Mercy Hospital next week as two Dunedin ear nose and throat surgeons frustrated with the public health system decide to give their time for no fee.

Installing security cameras on school grounds is one of several measures being investigated by the Taieri College board of trustees in a response to allegations of bullying at the school.