SOUTH AUCKLAND HEALTH: The New Zealand Herald leads today with a report that the health of South Auckland children has fallen to a "critical level of unacceptability" with some diseases reaching third world levels. The front-page photo shows a three year old being treated for an ear infection and cough.

Also on the front page:

- SMACKING: a report that politicians and the public have turned their backs on expert opinion that smacking contributes to the cycle of violence. A Herald Poll found that 75.2% continue to believe that smacking is justified in some circumstances;

- BACKLASH AGAINST VIOLENCE: a report that the horrific beating of a Mangere good Samaritan has provoked a community backlash against violent crime and a call for a rally against violence;

- TURKISH QUAKE: a report that the death toll in the Turkish earthquake has climbed to at least 12,000 and up to 200,000 people are homeless;

- THE SAINT DIES: a report that Wally Smith could not accept being a prisoner of war. Captured by the Germans in Crete in 1941, the young Dargaville man escapes a dozen times - once in drag - before ending up in Russia. Nicknamed The Saint he died last week.

Inside Headlines:

- Birch siding with big business says Peters;
- Judges findings point to fraud in Magnum deal;
- Clark sees no point in forest tour;
- Moore's mate steps in;
- Top union man has accord in view;
- Press Council rejects McCully complaint against NZ Herald.

MURDER: The editorial observes that there are, in reality, murders by degrees.

© 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.

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