New Zealand / Regional

Morning Report: local papers

06:53 am on 14 February 2011

Monday's headlines: Record numbers of children being found in illicit drug dens; shoppers swarmed back into central Christchurch for re-run of Boxing Day sales; fines on freedom campers supported.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald is dominated by a photograph of a driveway in West Auckland where a girl aged 13 months, was run over on Saturday.

The paper says the accident has sparked renewed calls for drivers to be more vigilant around driveways.

Also on the front page: the Herald marks the death of Outrageous Fortune star Frank Whitten, after a battle with cancer.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post says children are emerging as the forgotten victims of what it describes as New Zealand's drug misery, with record numbers being found in illicit drug dens.

Police Minister Judith Collins said she's worried by police reports about rising numbers of young children growing up in clandestine P-labs and 'tinnie houses'.

The paper follows up on a weekend story about world traveller Peter Freedom, saying he's one of 658 long term beneficiaries whose welfare payments have been axed in a Government crackdown.

Mr Freedom is pictured posing outside the Taj Mahal, enjoying his benefit- funded holiday.

And the front page is capped off a picture of young Austin Wilkinson, building a sandcastle during the Island Bay Festival.

The Press

The Press delves further into the lives of children in the drug underworld.

A former drugs squad detective says under fives are being put at risk by cancer causing chemicals which soak into their soft toys.

And shoppers are pictured swarming back into central Christchurch for a re-run of the Boxing Day sales.

The original 26 December bargains were shortlived after a series of aftershocks closed the inner city.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times reports strong support for national legislation allowing councils to fine people caught camping without adequate toilet facilities, or in no-camping areas.