NZ at Noon: Mystery of stolen barge solved

LONG JOURNEY: The stolen oyster barge was discovered on a beach in Queensland, 3500km from where it was stolen in the Far North. LEFT: The barge in better days.PHOTOS / ROSS GARNSEY & SUPPLIED

Stories making headlines around the regions include a stolen barge turning up a year after it went missing and the kindness of strangers.

A barge stolen from a Northland oyster farmer has been found at last - 3500km from where it was last seen.

A Tauranga man who suffered a stroke had his only means of communication stolen, but an anonymous member of the public has offered to come to his rescue.

An Ohakune man who missed a court appearance because he was "trapped" on Mt Ruapehu has promised a judge he wouldn't do it again.

Residents in Wairarapa are 'surprised and disappointed' at the decision by Air New Zealand to scrap it's Masterton services.

Rotorua kids are increasingly lacking basic skills to throw or catch a ball, and need extra coaching before they can play sport.

Thousands of Hawke's Bay residents are shirking jury duty every year, in a trend labelled "disturbing" by a local barrister.

Finally Nouveau the kiwi has touched down at his new home at Kiwi North and there could be romance in the air for the young bird.

Other stories making headlines around the regions include:
Tauranga mum gives all for daughter's dream
Grandkids cheer on grocery grab
Community work for punching identical twin
Rotorua's hidden lake: Plans for Government Gardens
Sun strike warning after crash