NZ@Noon: Dismissed cop awarded $25,000

A former Northland cop has won his battle for unfair dismissal and will receive more than $25,000 compensation, and exact replicas of shotguns used by Maori warriors during the Battle of Gate Pa will be available for collector's to own. These are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

A former Far North cop has been awarded more than $25,000 after it was found he was unjustifiably dismissed from the force.

To mark the 152nd commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pa exact replicas of the shotguns used by Maori warriors will be available for history fanatics and gun enthusiasts to own.

The Napier Port and other regional assets could be used as collateral if the Ruataniwha dam puts the Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company into liquidation.

More than 270 first home buyers in Rotorua have been helped in the first year of the Government's HomeStart scheme, a scheme that has provided $55.6 million in its first year.

Horizons Regional Council has been asked to consult Whanganui people on whether to raise the height of the Anzac Pde stopbanks in the wake of the June floods.