NZ at Noon: Mount Mauler, Buttcrack Bandit and back to work blues

A nasty little beach bug has returned to Bay shores, leaving its victims with unbearably itchy bites. Photo / Supplied

Stories making headlines across New Zealand at noon include a nasty little critter dining out on people on Bay of Plenty beaches, the "Buttcrack bandit" is still out there and are you back at work and feeling disoriented?

The Mount Mauler has returned to Bay of Plenty beaches with the nasty sand dwelling mini monster leaving bites so severe it can look like a dog has "chomped down" on its victims leg.

Meanwhile in Northland the infamous Buttcrack Bandit is still at large.

Feeling disoriented and taking a "go-slow" attitude? Little interest in work or focusing on your next holiday? Feeling irritable, in a bad mood or suffering headaches? You've got the back to work blues.

A Whangarei man who bashed another in a random act of street thuggery and stole petrol five times has narrowly avoided jail.

A Tauranga animal lover who nursed a stray cat before calling Tauranga SPCA says she was disgusted to be told that her actions meant the cat was now her responsibility.

If you go down to the Greytown Rail Trail this Sunday you're sure of a big surprise but you had better not go alone.

Henley Lake near Masterton is toxic and all recreational pursuits have been banned.

Dunedin firefighters have been dealing with unusually high numbers of people getting trapped in lifts this week.

Top trending topics on Twitter in NZ at Noon were: #joshandjoeykeek, #Votefor5H, #OMGrandeGames, Auckland, New Zealand, #Chadwickfollowspree, #followmeash, #JoeIandBenjiRule and #PCA.

Other stories making headlines across New Zealand at noon:
Hawke's Bay hottest spot in NZ
Beauty is more than skin deep
Wanganui: Sludge survey in stink battle
Aerial photographs of Rotorua January 2013
Photos: Dan Carter's Taupo Twitter Kicking Practice
Airborne search for Martinborough fisherman
Photos: Scrub fires in Selwyn
Fire risk rises to extreme in Gisborne region
Dunedin: Warning to swimmers and surfers