NZ@Noon: Custom coffin and a blazing inferno

Kevin Ball inside his newspaper-decorated coffin. Photo / Lynda Feringa

A burial with a broadsheet in Wairarapa and a blazing fire in Northland are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

This veteran journalist from the Wairarapa is taking his best stories to the grave with him in a very special way.

A crowd of at least 50 gathered to watch a "blazing inferno" at Otangarei yesterday morning.

A badly behaved boozer in Papamoa who left a beach in shambles has been blasted by his "disgusted" parents.

A Flaxmere resident has been attacked in his own backyard by an intruder.

A group of students have hit the streets of Marton in the name of community and Christmas spirit.

And finally, Santa Claus has come to town delighting children and adults alike in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty. Check out some of the pics and videos here.