Police could have prevented fatal crash; 'no' to letting all police have guns; hours of TV watching risks health.
NZ Herald
Almost two thirds of people questioned in a New Zealand Herald survey did not want police to carry guns on general duties. In the survey of 2296 people, 65% believed only the armed offenders squad should carry guns, showing strong support for current police practice.
A P-lab has been found in a street containing some of Auckland's poshest homes, including that of Auckland Mayor John Banks.
Dominion Post
An investigation into a 2005 accident has found that police bungled an attempt to stop a drink-driver from getting back behind the wheel of his car and killing three people.
Tour operator Wally Hammond faces a $10,000 fine for refusing to get a free permit for tourists to watch fur seals in Wairarapa.
The Press
The paper leads on the health risks of watching television, with a report on a six-year Australian study of nearly 9000 people. Compared with people who watched less than two hours a day, those who watched more than four hours had a 46% higher risk of death from all causes and an 80% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.
Consumer groups warn harsher court penalties may be needed to stop Telecom breaching the Fair Trading Act after it admitted another violation.
Otago Daily Times
Building consent figures show that Otago has come through the recession with only limited damage, and with some major projects in the pipeline.
Increased flights at Queenstown Airport are expected to give the resort's economy a boost this year.