NZ@Noon: Weed-eating insects and 'whip round' for shoplifter

Close-up of privet lacebug (Leptophya hospita). Photo/Landcare Research.

Stories making the headlines around the regions today include a weed-eating insect gets the greenlight in Bay of Plenty and police in Masterton have a collection for a hungry shoplifter.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council have released a new privet-eating insect at a trial site in Bethlehem this week in an effort to improve control of the unpopular pest plant.

Masterton police did a "whip round" to buy food for a hungry shoplifter.

The Hastings District Council has calmed the rough chlorinated waters with fish owners in Havelock North.

A tagged trout potentially worth $25,000 has been caught on Lake Rotoiti.

A massive drop-out on State Highway 4 happened so quickly it was lucky no vehicles were swept away by it.

Whangarei District Council has four major projects that will change the face of the city forever.