A free Children's Day in Whangarei saw three youths take the meaning one step too far when they rode off on bikes from one of the displays.
More than 800 families attended the event at the Pulse in Whangarei and enjoyed sausage sizzles, a bouncy castle and a bike-riding display
encouraging children to exercise.
The Bike Northland display was run by co-ordinator Stu Bell, who said about 200 children had negotiated their way through the obstacle course on bikes before three of the eight bikes were stolen.
"I had my back turned putting a chain on a bike when I turned round to see one of the kids throwing a bike over the fence."
When Mr Bell went to question the boy he turned and rode off with his two young friends about 12.50pm on Sunday.
