The Government is putting together an $11 million package to offset the fallout from coronavirus and attract tourists from countries other than China; and Central Otago and Queenstown’s mayors want the Dunedin City Council to stump up cash towards a $400 million electricity lines upgrade.
* The New Zealand Herald
In the New Zealand Herald, Holden, the car brand beloved by generations of Kiwi motorists will be scrapped by the end of this year. General Motors yesterday said the brand will be retired from sales here and in Australia, and local design and engineering operations will wind down by 2021. Up to 800 jobs are at stake.
In other news, the Government is putting together an $11 million package to offset the fallout from coronavirus and attract tourists from countries other than China. And Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that New Zealanders who have been quarantined on a coronavirus-struck cruise ship in Japan will face a further quarantine in New Zealand but that might not mean they can’t see their family members.
In business news, one of New Zealand’s greatest motorsport drivers is shocked about the demise of Holden but says the brand has faced a rocky road for some years. Holden driver Greg Murphy is among the thousands of Kiwis left gutted by the decision by General Motors to retire the brand by the end of the year.
* The Dominion Post
In the Dominion Post, Lyn Copland is counting the days until the fighting is over. Almost five years after her son Samuel Fischer died of suspected suicide in the care of Wellington’s district health board, today marks the beginning of the end of Copland’s battle for change. This morning, Copland will make her final submission, as the inquiry into Fischer’s death resumes, four years and 10 months after he died. It’s her last chance to ensure her son’s legacy leads to better mental health care.
In other news, TV host Makere Gibbons’ sister, who has been missing for four days, has called her mother to say she is OK but did not give any other details. A source told Stuff that Karina Bradnam, 29, from Titahi Bay, called her mother yesterday afternoon to say she was OK. However, she did not say where she was or where she had been.
In business news, homeowners could be required to hand their houses over to be redeveloped under a new bill working its way through Parliament. The Urban Development Bill gives Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities new development and land acquisition powers.
* The Press
In The Press, a national liquor store chain has severed ties with one of its largest franchisees, a company controlled by a couple who own millions of dollars worth of property after an investigation found it exploited staff. Super Liquor Holdings last week terminated its contracts with Nekita Enterprises Ltd, which was established in 2002 and operates 15 bottle stores in Christchurch, Ashburton and Methven.
In other news, a Christchurch police officer spotted carrying a weapon while collecting takeaways was armed because of a temporary threat, police say. An eyewitness said he saw the armed officer, with a Glock pistol in his holster, ‘‘casually walking’’ down Lichfield St in the central city, from the justice and emergency services precinct to the Hoyts EntX centre, about 7pm on Thursday.
In business news, Central Otago and Queenstown’s mayors want the Dunedin City Council to stump up cash towards a $400 million electricity lines upgrade. They say the city council is partly responsible for Aurora Energy’s failure to upgrade and maintain its network because it received $177m in dividends from the company.
