2 Jun 2010

Morning Report: local papers

7:03 am on 2 June 2010

Wednesday's headlines: News awaited of NZ aid worker detained by Israel; flooding in the Bay of Plenty; new bank would put pressure on Rabobank and KiwiBank.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald describes how torrential rain caused chaos in parts of the North Island on Tuesday.

Rapidly rising floodwaters in the Bay of Plenty forced residents from their homes and trapped motorists - including an elderly woman who had to be pulled from her partially submerged vehicle.

The mother of a New Zealand woman held by Israel after a clash between armed forces and aid workers is anxiously waiting news of her daughter. Sandy Saussey is the mother of aid worker Nicola Enchmarch.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post says Ms Enchmarch will be visited by New Zealand authorities on Tuesday as the wheels are put in motion for her deportation.

A Taupo policeman has been accidentally shocked by a Taser gun as a colleague struggled to arrest an armed offender.

MetService says there's been no significant sunshine in Wellington since 22 May, although showers may ease somewhat before the weekend.

The Press

The Press reports three finance organisations want to form a $2.2 billion bank headquartered in Christchurch. The as-yet unnamed heartland bank will reportedly target middle New Zealanders who prefer to bank with a locally owned organisation.

The Government has a deal with one of the world's biggest oil companies to open 12,000 square km off the North Island's east coast for exploration.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times says the heartland bank proposal - targeting a share of the agricultural and business lending markets - would put pressure on the likes of Rabobank and KiwiBank.

Owaka man Bevan Smith is continuing the fight to keep his daughter's murderer in jail.

Mr Smith hopes to hear this week that he has again been successful in postponing the next parole hearing for Paul David Bailey who killed Kylie Smith.