APEC FIRE SERVICE CONFUSION: The New Zealand Herald leads today with a report that APEC organisers have been caught off-guard by an apparent security exemption the Fire Service has granted firefighters to move inside controlled areas.

BRAWL BASHING: The front-page photo shows a group of forensic scientists examining a blood-stain on the footpath in Auckland. A man was bashed with a weapon in a mass brawl in Auckland early yesterday morning.

Also on the front page:

- BLOOD IDENTIFICATION: a report that an Auckland lawyer says a High Court ruling allowing the admission of blood samples taken at birth could end up being widely used in criminal cases;

- SUPER DISCRIMINATION: a report that the government-controlled National Provident Fund has told thousands of people with a small superannuation nest egg that their accounts must have a minimum balance of $5000 or they will be closed;

Inside Political Headlines:

- Crisis in wards prompts Labour attack;
- Minister cool on inmates New Year's amnesty plan;
- Alliance fund would give businesses $200 million boost;
- Green Party names a further nine Auckland candidates;
- Alliance has radical plans for TPK;
- Big backing for Maori Coalition: Delamere;
- Song taunts Henare on leaving hui.

COCKPIT VOICE RECORDERS: The editorial discusses pilots objections to cockpit voice recorders.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz