NZ@Noon: Destructive spree and gifts of 'weed'

Senior constable Bob Hooker and Deputy Mayor Graham McClymont with pieces of the fence destroyed by vandals in the Kids Own playground in Queen Elizabeth Park. Photo / Lynda Feringa

A community playground 'destroyed' in Masterton and a man's attempt to toss drugs to prison inmates in Hawke's Bay are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

Vandals have wreaked havoc at a community playground in Masterton.

'Tis the season to be giving - baggies of 'weed' and contraband were apparently tossed into Hawke's Bay Regional Prison's grounds yesterday.

And he's still going - Project WildMan founder Rob Cope has passed through Rotorua for a second time with his fridge.

A medical lab scientist working illegally in Tauranga has been deported to the United Kingdom.

An Ahipara music festival was held to raise awareness of the oil exploration off Northland's west coast over the weekend.

Two Wanganui friends are both 102 years old and still going strong.

And finally, locals are looking to revamp a piece of history in Hokianga that is currently being used as a dump.