NZ@Noon: 'Spectacular' sinking and creepy crawly ears

A car crossing gone wrong in the Wairarapa has been slammed as 'foolish' by off road veterans.

A 'spectacular' sight in the Wairarapa and creepy crawlies in ears in Wanganui are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

A 'foolhardy' crossing went 'spectacularly' wrong after the driver attempted to drive across Lake Ferry spit in Wairarapa.

For one hospital staffer, it's not unusual to find 'spiders, insects and even stones' in the ears of Wanganui residents.

Lest we forget - thieves have struck at the very heart of the Whangarei RSA and stolen a sign engraved with these now 'sacred' words.

A 'precious' blessed Maori walking stick stolen from Kauae Cemetery by 'mongrels' last year has been returned, but has been damaged.

Hawke's Bay locals are determined to stop legal highs coming back to the region.

Hawaiian canoe Hokulea has docked in Tauranga Harbour for the first time.

And finally, there was only one place to be in the Far North on the night before Waitangi festivities began, and that was the home of former Labour MP Shane Jones.