NZ at Noon: 'Prolific' meth trade rocks Hawkes Bay

A prolific meth trade has been uncovered in Hawke's Bay.

The uncovering of a 'prolific' meth trade in Hawke's Bay and a man who 'freaked out' running from police are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

The 'most prolific methamphetamine trade ever' has been uncovered in Hawke's Bay.

A Rotorua man rushing to McDonald's "to get a feed for his missus" freaked out during a police chase and rolled his car.

A robbery at Whangarei PostShop is Northland's fourth aggravated theft in three weeks.

Five people were arrested after a brawl broke out in a central Rotorua dairy.

Convicted paedophile James Parker is apparently still a registered teacher.

Public pressure has forced the Tauranga City Council to rethink parking charges.

A halogen lamp is believed to be responsible for a fire at Mount Maunganui College early today.

Acclaimed Kiwi comedian Brendhan Lovegrove hits Wairarapa this weekend.

The Zirka circus is in town wowing audiences in Rotorua. Check out some photos here.

Two years ago cancer took the light out of Christmas for Wairarapa woman Christine Meyer.

Leukaemia sufferer Paul Highton says nothing more can be done for him medically, and is blunt about his ''limited future''.

Three Wanganui teenage girls have raised more than $5000 for the Child Cancer Foundation - and all it cost them was their hair.

And finally Chewy the bluetongue lizard has returned home after a seven-month nap.

Other stories making headlines around the regions today are:

Cup challenge a real family affair.

Accused denies stabbing charges.

Old is the new black in test for designers.

Witnesses sought over fatal accident.

A dream comes true for Far North dancer.

Chased armed robber pleads guilty.

Teens to open pizza business in Rotorua.