NZ@Noon: Artistic proposal and finger-lickin fake notes

Nathan Burgi proposed to Esther Goddard with the help of international sand artist Jamie Harkins. Photo / Supplied

An unexpected proposal in the Bay of Plenty and a Masterton man's desire for KFC lands him in court - just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

Amorous artwork in the sands of Mauao popped an unexpected question to a Waikato student.

Finger-lickin good - a Masterton man with a taste for fried chicken used a fake $50 note at a Wellington KFC - and was so pleased with himself he went back for seconds.

The Rotorua RSA may have closed its doors but the "heart and soul of the club is still alive."

Liqueurs made in a Far North garage are winning gold medals around the world.

Hundreds of Hawke's Bay locals tackled swamp crossings, a spiderweb net, barbed-wire crawls and mud over the weekend.

And finally, these future chefs in Wanganui have made it to the grand finale of a national cooking show.