Stories making headlines across New Zealand at noon include the nation's "newest and dirtiest non-combat sport", toys made out of possum bones and an extreme reaction to a domestic argument in a moving vehicle.
Highlights of the "week that was" as viewed from Rotorua include the nation's "newest and dirtiest non-combat sport", a "comically rotund internet gazillionaire," not to mention Colin Craig making "a successful but somewhat confusing bid to make all women hate him."
In the face of damning criticism, Hastings District Council has defended its decision to prosecute a dog owner whose labrador bit a man's thumb last year.
In Whangarei, a man has been busy stealing three cars, unlawfully taking five vehicles, setting two vehicles on fire, robbing six people of their bags and stealing a briefcase loaded with cash belonging to old soldiers.
Free meningococcal vaccinations against inflammation around the brain and blood poisoning which can cause death within 24 hours will be available again for children and teenagers around Northland next week.