NZ@Noon: Brothers survive crash landing

The small plane crash-landed only metres from the Whananaki estuary. Photo / NZME.

Stories making headlines around the regions today include a forced crash landing near Whangarei and a life changing trip to the Philippines.

A Northland pilot on his way home from visiting friends was forced to crash land his two-seater plane into the sea after it lost power soon after take-off.

Tauranga's Neco Wieringa had no idea what to expect when he agreed to go to the Philippines for a month to help a typhoon-ravaged village.

It's been a busy year for Tamati Coffey and his partner, Tim Smith, and it's going to get even busier for them next year when they open their new bar in Rotorua.

The old boy has finally come down - the Albert Hotel's aged facade disappeared bit by bit during the past few weeks.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is reminding people about the food safety risk of buying illegal home-kill meat.

And finally, Wanganui residents are advised against swimming in the river these holidays.