NZ@Noon: Bee thieves and a dangerous drive

Queen bee rearer Sam Ba-a and Laurence Burkin on the site where 19 of The True Honey Co's beehives were taken. Photo / Warren Buckland

Bee thieves in Hawke's Bay and a lucky escape for a Northland drunk driver are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

Central Hawke's Bay honey-makers have been stung hard by thieves.

A Northland man is lucky no one was killed after completing an "erratic" 30km drive at almost five times the legal alcohol limit.

Two aspiring Tauranga filmakers have teamed up to shine a light on the harmful effects of drinking while pregnant.

Masterton Council has stepped up its game to woo potential newcomers to the area.

A Wanganui family has kicked off a campaign to honour the loss of a loving mother - and they are planning to go all out.

And finally, interest in reading a controversial book has risen in Rotorua after it was slapped with an interim ban.