NZ@Noon: 'Dead' boy's miracle rescue

Thomas Watson and his daughter Jasmine take a dip in the Mangatainoka River minutes before he and his brother Daniel hauled a near lifeless boy from the rapids in the background. Photo / Brogan Riwai

The amazing rescue of a "dead" boy in Masterton and a vandalised kindy in Hawke's Bay are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

A blue, near lifeless "dead" 12-year-old boy has been saved from the depths of the Wairarapa river by two local men.

A broken shade sail, vandalised equipment and "a strong smell of urine" greeted teachers at a kindy in Hawke's Bay yesterday.

A freak occurrence during an everyday chore is thought to be responsible for this out-of-control fire in the Far North.

Orca whales provided some Monday delight for beachgoers in Wanganui.

"Walkies" with dogs who are looking for a home could help relieve stress for for office workers in central Auckland.

Star-struck Tauranga Intermediate students were stoked when they got to meet this kiwi songstress.

Rotorua Lakes Council are attempting to tackle troublesome windscreen washers with harsher restrictions.

And finally, Kaitaia is about to take on a ground-breaking new approach to crime prevention.