NZ at Noon: The undead, polluted rivers and neglected children

Zombies had a good time in Rotorua over the long weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker

Stories making headlines across New Zealand at noon include the undead having a good time in Rotorua, a mayor in seeming denial about a polluted river and a three year old left to wander the streets in pouring rain.

The undead got together for a good cause in Rotorua over the long weekend. Some posed for photos. Some were dancing to Michael Jackson songs.

Meanwhile South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples says she is happy to swim in the Ruamahanga River where her council is discharging sewage, despite experts saying it is unswimmable and a health risk.

A 3-year-old child left wandering the streets of Tauranga alone for more than an hour in the pouring rain was eventually picked up by police and taken to McDonalds for a Happy Meal.

Family members pulled a 10-year-old boy out of the car moments before his drunk mother drove off and crashed.

Meanwhile in Northland they are attempting to set an inaugural world record for the greatest number of people simultaneously shaving their heads.

Bee Gee Barry Gibb thinks he might faint if he does a duet with Carole King at the Mission Concert in Hawke's Bay.

A hearse arrived this morning at a house cordoned off by police in Rotorua's Wrigley Rd.

Whangarei taxi driver Shaun Stanley is apparently having a tough time getting ACC to pay him for lost earnings as directed by a court.

A Rotorua couple are frustrated with the state of Hongi's Track. Meanwhile on the Kaituna River.

Some thief has taken the scooter belonging to brain tumour survivor Rebecca Farren.

While hiding in grass after a Kensington home was burgled, a suspect came face to face with a police dog.

A 9-year-old Whangarei boy threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife and the next day his mates showed up at the girls house yelling abuse and throwing stones at the house, smashing several windows.

A Papamoa man who was caught in a massive chip-heater hot-water tank explosion has emerged from a coma.

A quake that struck off White Island at the weekend wasn't apparently linked to volcanic activity on White Island.

A young girl playing on swings in Gisborne was attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-American pit bull cross which clamped on to her leg and ripped her from the swing.

The blue moon was actually orange but proved a winner for Tony Ogle.

Meanwhile in Hawke's Bay as wind gusts hit 110km/h at Cape Kidnappers two kayakers decided it was a good day to go for a paddle in the ocean.

Wanganui has held its Glass Olympics again this year.

Children travelling in cars with an active smoker are apparently effectively smoking themselves.

It took Bryce and Sandy Coneybeer 15 months to get the paperwork through to cremate animals.

The little Martinborough girl who was severely burnt in September was home in time to spend the long weekend with her family.

A street race near Carterton ended when a high-performance car hit a roadside fence and exploded.

People apparently want food labels that tell them how long they need to exercise to burn off the calories rather than just say how many calories are in the item off the supermarket shelf.

When Police released security footage of a Christchurch bank hold-up, it showed Tim Whelan smiling at the teller, making no effort to conceal his face.

Over in Mid Canterbury they are a bit confused about whether it is spring or winter.

Dunedin pig hunter Douglas McGhie is cold and wet but he's alive.

In a shock announcement, Taieri College principal Christina Herrick has resigned.

And the title of world champion hasn't quite sunk in yet for Oamaru triathlete Reubyn Bisschops.

Top trending topics on Twitter in NZ at noon were: #SkyTitaniumFriday, #WeNeedNZTourDatesReece, Sir Wilson Whineray, #10PeopleYouTrulyLove, Labour Day, #ReasonsIFailAtBeingAGirl, #RED, New Zealand, #10TwitterCrushes and Auckland.