NZ@Noon: Rookies get a taste of (fake) tragedy

Fire recruits and St John volunteers teamed up for an elaborate exercise to test their skills yesterday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Some stories making headlines across our regions today are: Fire fighters in Rotorua took part in an elaborate excercise and why have the speed limits in the Hawke's Bay risen in a bid to make roads safer?

Rotorua Firefighter rookies got a taste of tragic wreckage.

A Hawke's Bay local is confused as to why the speed limit has been raised in a new "safer speed area".

A Northland user is delighted as a judge rules his Segway isn't a vehicle.

Bay of Plenty parking wardens are to issue instant fines for bald tyres.

Greg and Ali of Gladstone face two years of work to restore a tram that's the last of its kind.

And finally, the first weekend of Artists Open Studios in Wanganui was a roaring success, according to one of the event's organisers.