Mongrel mob forces terrified woman and children from home; Dunedin stadium receives regional council funding pledge; financial crisis brings overseas students to NZ.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald's lead story says international students hit by the world economic crisis are opting to study in New Zealand instead of traditional centres such as Britain and the United States, providing an educational windfall in a time of recession.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post reports that Mongrel Mob gang members forced a terrified neighbour and her two young children from their home, then ransacked it for nearly all its contents the next day. Police have described the gang-plagued street as "the closest you get to the Bronx in Lower Hutt".
The Press
The paper reports more than $30 million worth of infrastructure projects will begin in Canterbury this year as part of the Government's plan to boost the economy and save jobs.
Otago Daily Times
The ODT says the south fared poorly in the Government's infrastructure funding allocation, but community leaders are being advised all is not lost.
It says Dunedin's planned new stadium received further conditional approval on Wednesday when the Otago Regional Council confirmed its $37 million funding for the project, in front of about 30 heckling opponents.
