NZ@Noon: Brazen theft and bleeding burglar

Havelock North man Bill Lepper is wondering why his set of front gates were stolen from his property. Photo / Duncan Brown

Stories making headlines around the regions today include a 'disturbing' theft and a thief that left an undeniable trace during a burglary in Whanganui.

The last thing you would expect when waking up in the morning would be a missing front gate. Read about the 'disturbing' theft here.

'Several items had to be disposed of' after a burglar bled all over a Whanganui bakery.

Meanwhile, a Hawke's Bay builder is offering his services for free while wild weather continues to lash the region.

A Tauranga man has sparked a rule change after a family memorial plaque was removed from a park bench.

Northern Advocate editor Craig Cooper writes: 'You can lead a horse to water, but can you also make it give up smoking?'

And finally, the Rotorua Police are 'having babies' of the furry kind. Watch our video here.