NZ@Noon: River of rubbish and lucky escape

Hokianga man Tony Makiha has vowed to clean up this river of rubbish, which is polluting a stream and desecrating a historic site.

One mans vow to clean up a river of rubbish in Hokianga and a lucky escape for a Tauranga driver are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

A Northland man has vowed to clean up tonnes of rubbish dumped into a once pristine creek href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northland-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503402&objectid=11510782" target="_blank">before he dies.

A Tauranga man had a lucky escape after he encountered an elderly woman driving the wrong way on a busy highway.

Baldly going where no man has gone before - a Northland charity aims to set a world record for the number of heads shaved in one sitting.

One of the leading sculptors in the world is set to see his first commissioned artwork in the Southern Hemisphere unveiled in Hawke's Bay next month.

Rotorua's rugby fans are being urged to get behind the Steamers when they come to town.

Calling all art lovers! Afficionados will be spoiled for choice when more than 1000 artworks go on display at one of Wairarapa's biggest art events.

And finally, it is amazing what people hear over a cup of tea - and this Wanganui woman is taking these tales to the next level.