Major Auckland projects under threat from global recession; failing schools being singled out by Government; support for beleaguered Otago District Health Board chairman.
NZ Herald
The paper's main story examines the threat to more than $1 billion worth of major Auckland civic developments as the global recession sets in. The New Zealand Herald says politicians, directors and senior Auckland Regional Council staff held crisis talks on Friday to get to grips with the rapidly deteriorating books of the regional council's business arm, Auckland Regional Holdings.
Dominion Post
The paper's lead says poorly performing schools are to be singled out in a Government crackdown that will see more governing boards thrown out in an effort to improve the chances of failing pupils . On the plus side, the paper reports, schools that are doing well could be exempt from three-yearly ERO reviews for up to five years.
Also on the Dominion Post front page is a report that the recession is washing over many big-spenders, with the country's well-heeled continuing to frequent fancy restaurants, drive fast cars and stay at upmarket lodges.
The Press
The paper says police are vowing to give boy racers "the shock of their lives" after a mob attacked an officer with bottles and an airgun in Christchurch at the weekend. Police say the problem in the city has escalated and they launched an operation on Saturday night to crack down on boy racer activity.
Otago Daily Times
The ODT reports that Otago District Health Board chief medical officer Richard Bunton is strongly supporting beleaguered board chairman Richard Thomson. Mr Bunton told the paper the root cause of what happened with the board's $16.9 million fraud did not lie at Mr Thomson's feet. Mr Thomson is under threat of dismissal by Health Minister Tony Ryall after refusing to resign when asked to last week.
