It seems Northland is enduring an outbreak of Christmas lunacy.
Ill-prepared trampers wasting rescuers time and money at Cape Brett, in Kaikohe idiots have had a go at ruining summer for families by vandalising the local community pool, and in Te Kao, a tourist is caught breaking into locals' cars. That's right - a tourist who claimed to be French.
And through it all shines a beacon of sanity in the form of a deaf man who selflessly and bravely intervenes in a daylight attack on a security guard.
The man stopped an attack on the guard at Onerahi, Whangarei yesterday. An attack that left the guard in hospital with concussion. The assault outside the Onerahi New World could have ended much worse.
The assailant ran off, empty handed.
There is another Christmas story warming hearts - our reception at the Northern Advocate's office looks like Santa's grotto, full of toys, thanks to our generous readers.
This year all toys and donations go to Barnardos, an organisation that helps struggling families.
Toys and non-perishable food can be dropped off at the Advocate office at 88 Robert St.
The deadline for donations is tomorrow, as the toys are being collected on Christmas Eve.
Wouldn't it be great if Advocate readers could help deliver the Onerahi attacker to police before then too. If you know anything about this assault, contact your local police.