6 Jan 2011

Summer Report: local papers

8:02 am on 6 January 2011

Thursday's headlines: Ngai Tahu to trial three dairy farms next year; salesman sacked for criticising his company and its products to a customer; Australia lobbied US to move its Antarctic supply base from Christchurch to Hobart.

NZ Herald

"Cliff Plunge Ends Dream" is the headline in The New Zealand Herald, with a large photo of Ryan Gibbon, 19, who died on Wednesday when a car he was in plunged over a 25 metre cliff at Red Beach. The Herald spoke with his family, who described Mr Gibbon as cheeky, fun-loving and an aspiring rugby league player.

Also, a story that many can relate to: whether it's sending a txt to the wrong person or miscalling a friend. In this case, an accidental miscall cost Russell Steele his job.

Mr Steele, who was a salesman for Steelpipe in Onehunga, accidently speed-dialled a colleague while criticising his company and its products to a customer. He was sacked, but is now appealing to the Employment Relations Authority.

Dominion Post

Two surf club lifesavers are pictured on the front page of The Dominion Post. Hayley Cox, 13, and Karly Maxwell, 14, spotted two teenage kayakers struggling off Lyall Bay. They hopped on their paddleboards and set out, pulling the kayakers back to safety.

Anglers are reportedly being locked out of top fishing spots by businesses cutting expensive deals with private landowners. The Freshwater Anglers Federation says large sums are being paid to landowners for the sole right to fish on their land - which is effectively cutting off access to your average fly fisher.

The Press

The Press reports that Australia tried to "steal" Operation Deep Freeze from Christchurch, according to WikiLeaks.

American supply missions to Antarctica are based in Christchurch, but The Press reports that Australia last year lobbied the United States to move the base to Hobart.

The paper also reports that Doyle, a capuchin monkey, had surgery on Wednesday for a gash on his arm. While under anaesthetic, the vets carried out a bit of grooming - taking the time to clean Doyle's teeth.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times reports that Ngai Tahu is eyeing the dairying sector.

The board of the iwi has approved a proposal to trial three dairy farms. Milk production will begin early next year. The iwi owns more than 83,000 hectares of rural land in the South Island - some of which would be converted.