NZ@Noon: Murtle the turtle and a 'star' recruit

Spike, a chihuahua papillion cross, was one of the animals confiscated from a family banned from owning pets.

A menagerie of pets in the wrong household in the Far North and a promising recruit in Northland are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

Murtle the Turtle and a puppy named Spike are just two of the "menagerie" of animals found in an Onerahi household currently banned from owning pets.

A "skinny, flea-ridden, worm-infested puppy" is now the "star" new recruit in the Far North.

A "disgusting" young woman has been caught after stealing a donation bucket raising money for Nepal.

A woman who joined in a "random" street brawl in Wanganui allegedly yelled "that's what you get for being white."

A collection of little halts and stations along the mostly disused railway line north of Masterton have been saved.

This Hawke's Bay woman thought it was just the sun making her feel faint one hot day in November.

And finally, preparations are well under way for the Rotorua Marathon which will see more than 5000 people take part. Check out the video here.