National and Act would be able to form a government on the basis of the latest 1News Colmar Brunton poll; and Police are scrambling to identify how many people accessed the personal details of thousands of gun owners in a data breach.
* The New Zealand Herald
In the New Zealand Herald, a surge in gun violence across Auckland has seen nearly 150 gunshot victims in hospital with serious injuries over four years.The figures have been described as “staggering” by Manukau councillor Alf Filipaina — and an alarming indication of how many guns are circulating in the city.
In other news, National and Act would be able to form a government on the basis of the latest 1News Colmar Brunton poll.But Labour and the Greens combined have almost the same amount of support, which suggests it could be a nail-biting election year in 2020.National is on 46 per cent, down one point from the last poll in early October.Act is up by one point to 2 per cent and, assuming David Seymour kept the Epsom seat, would have two MPs.
In business news, if you’re 5G-curious, Vodafone is offering visitors to Wellington Airport a free spin on the new mobile technology . Tony Baird, Vodafone New Zealand Technology Director, explains: “We wanted to give travellers the chance to try out our live 5G network before we officially switch it on across parts of the country. This free trial to test 5G over wi-fi will enable passengers to download their favourite content at super-fast speeds.”
* The Dominion Post
In the Dominion Post,Wellington’s infrastructure needs a $5 billion upgrade to avoid crippling New Zealand’s economy following a major earthquake, new research shows.A report by the Wellington Lifelines Group estimates the country’s gross domestic product would take a $16.7b hit following a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on the Wellington Fault – unless a co-ordinated, 20-year infrastructure programme was adopted.
In other news, Police are scrambling to identify how many people accessed the personal details of thousands of gun owners in a data breach.The details of more than 37,000 firearm owners, including the guns they possess and bank account information, were able to be accessed in the breach, according to the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (Colfo).
In business news, buyers in Whanganui are finding they need to act quickly as the city’s house prices rise along with population growth.Nathan Doyle was impressed by houses on offer in the city when he moved from Palmerston North this year. “Compared to the extremely slim pickings in Palmy, Whanganui is a God-send,” he said.
*The Press
In The Press, a father is grieving for one daughter and praying his other daughter survives after a fiery late-night Christchurch crash.Tayla Bray Alexander, 17, died when the car she was in crashed down a bank and caught fire on Wednesday night on the Port Hills.Her 15-year-old sister, Sunmara, suffered extensive burns in the crash and is fighting for her life in Auckland Hospital.
In other news, a North Canterbury garden tour has sparked controversy by going head to head with a local A&P show, after organisers refused to change the date.For the second year running, the Hurunui Garden Festival will be held on the same weekend in early November as the Amberley show.The garden festival committee announced the date for the 2020 event last week, despite knowing there were issues with opting for the same weekend.
In business news,surviving owners of a crumbling Christchurch waterfront apartment block and the buyer keen to redevelop it hope a judge’s ruling has ended a long dispute over the site.Cave Rock Apartments owners first fought their insurance company over their earthquake-damaged Sumner homes, then fought among themselves on how to split the payout.
