Hastings shearer Dion King was back to winning form after taking out the title of North Island Shearer of the Year in Te Kuiti last night.

A slice of old-fashioned Kiwi life is on offer in Te Kuiti, but there's much more besides, writes Diana Clement.

A one-year-old baby is in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital after choking on a Twistie on Friday. The baby was brought in to Te Kuiti Hospital in the afternoon with choking and seizures after reportedly eating a "Twistie" snack.

The dangerous combination of a weekend of drinking and a sleeping pill resulted in Jarrad Hoeata going on a reckless drive that ended when motorists blocked him off the road.

Fonterra says it won't hesitate to take action, "including refusal to collect milk" if deliberate animal mistreatment is proven.