This week's top 5 biggest stories

The Celebrity Solstice, plagued by norovirus, berthed at the Port of Tauranga this week. Photo/John Borren

This week's most read stories include the search for a missing school student in the Kaimais, the tragic death of a person taking part in a fun run at Mount Maunganui, the announcement of a new school principal, a schoolboy's rapid rise to rugby league stardom and a cruise ship struck down with norovirus.

1. Cruise ship hit by norovirus

A cruise ship plagued with norovirus docks in the Port of Tauranga. Of the 3985 guests and crew, 213 were struck down with the vomiting and diarrhoea bug as it arrived in Mount Maunganui.

Tauranga Boys' College student Kobe Rodger has signed with NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs. Photo/Andrew Warner

2. Tragedy mars popular Tauranga half-marathon

Tragedy struck Tauranga's popular City to Surf half marathon when a 45-year-old man collapsed and died on Mauao's base track.

3. Tauranga schoolboy signs with Rabbitohs

Year 12 student Kobe Rodger has become the first rugby league player to be contracted by an NRL club while still at school in Tauranga. He has signed a two-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to begin in January.

4. New principal announced for Tauranga Girls' College

A new principal for Tauranga Girls College has been announced. Tara Kanji will take over from the long-serving Pauline Cowens, who has spent 19 years at the school, 17 as principal.

Tara Kanji, deputy principal for learning and teaching at Sacred Heart Girls' College in Hamilton, has been announced as the new principal for Tauranga Girls' College.

5. Police search for missing teen in Kaimai Range

Fears for a missing school student sparked a police search through the Kaimai Range. Police and searchers combed through parts of the Kaimais in and around the area of McLaren Falls for hours.