NZ at Noon: Domestic violence - the harrowing journey

John McGrath, whose sister Patricia was killed by an act of domestic violence, pleaded in the documentary for leaders to stand up to the scourge Photo / Michael Cunningham

A Northland family's traumatic experience with domestic violence and a man who becomes the 'devil' when he drinks are just two of the topics making headlines around the regions today.

A Northland family's harrowing domestic violence journey has been made into a documentary.

A Rotorua man who is described as being "the devil" when drinking has been sentenced to four months in prison.

A 57-year-old Masterton woman assaulted and threatened to kill a 7-year-old boy because she "hated white people".

A Whangarei dairy worker who was robbed at gunpoint was back behind the counter yesterday.

An iconic tree in the centre of Rotorua is to be cut down on Sunday.

Up to 20 trees were cut down in a Hastings public reserve without permission.

The 520 plastic yellow ducks released into the Hatea River were retrieved the weekend.

Freedom camping will be banned from the eastern end of Mount Maunganui's Marine Parade.

Parking in parts of central Rotorua will soon become free for two hours.

A 20-year-old Havelock North man is fighting for his life after he crashed his motorbike into a tree last night.

What's a bit of travel when it comes to supporting the Magpies?

And finally, King the three-legged dog was a big hit at Masterton's Lansdowne Park Retirement Village yesterday.

Other stories making headlines around the regions today include:

Loophole allows legal high sales

Student rues her ill-fated loo stop

Accused will deny murder.

Dunedin homecoming concert: Like father, like son.