Three strikes and then it's life; addiction fears trigger bid to control painkillers; Shane Bond fetches $1m.
NZ Herald
National and ACT have agreed to pass a three-strikes law under which some killers will be locked away in prison without any chance of release.
Public access to a widely-used class of painkillers containing codeine is likely to be restricted within months because of what is said to be an increase in the rate of addiction to the opium-linked drug.
The Herald carries a picture of an orca chilling out in Auckland waters on Tuesday, when temperatures reached 26 degrees Celcius.
Dominion Post
The Dominion Post also reports on the 'three strikes' proposal, saying repeat violent offenders who kill will spend the rest of their life in prison under a law change even the Government admits is harsh.
New Zealander Mark Sager receives an Academy award for his role in developing a lighting stage and facial rendering system which has helped create realistic digital characters and stunt doubles in films like King Kong and Avatar.
Cricketer Shane Bond is sold for $NZ1 million in the Indian Premier League auction to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Press
New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) troops have emerged unscathed from a day of deadly violence in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
The Christchurch winner of Lotto's $9.3 million Powerball draw thought she had won $9333 after checking her payout receipt without her glasses, says The Press.
Otago Daily Times
Australia has emerged as the saviour of the $200 million Dunedin tourism industry, with cruise-ship visitors proving a significant bonus, the paper reports.
Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran wants debate to start on whether the time has come to sever constitutional ties with Great Britain, and for planning to begin for New Zealand to become a republic.
