"They were seriously unhappy," Acting Senior Sergeant Sarah Wihongi said, especially, perhaps, the one that gratuitously attacked a Northland Age car. Parked on the road 100 metres away, behind another car, a fire appliance and an ambulance, which completely blocked the highway, it was officially regarded as well out of harm's way, but that proved to be a little optimistic.
One highly agitated bull went cross-country, briefly, before bounding over a safety barrier and back on to the highway past the road block.
"For a moment I thought it was going to try hurdling your car," Ms Wihongi told the Northland Age.
"It thought about it." And she thought about shooing it away, but chose the safety of the roadside ditch as a more sensible, if slightly selfish option.
The bull apparently changed its mind at the last moment, but kicked in the front right corner as it bolted past.
"That's what you get for having a red car," a firefighter said, helpfully.
At least the Northern Advocate's Kerikeri-based journo Peter de Graaf was in no real danger. He was dispatched by his chief reporter to Waipapa, but, having googled 'bull' to be sure he knew what he was looking for, he found nothing more alarming than a couple of relatively placid sheep and a mobility scooter.
He finally contacted the Age for more specific directions.
At least his car isn't dented.
