NZ@Noon: Exploding pipes and wacky races

Pania Sigley and Maryanne Hooson were the Supreme Birdmen of last year's Russell Birdman Festival, the event is back for another year. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The return of the Russell Birdman and exploding pipes in Hamilton are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

The wacky and wonderful creations from the Russell Birdman festival took the plunge over the weekend in the Far North.

Freezing weekend temperatures are causing pipes to explode in Hamilton.

Dogs are making life difficult for conservationists and kiwis in Kerikeri.

An agreement between an elderly man and a Masterton car dealer has turned very sour.

A rare disease has left this Napier woman wheelchair bound, requiring full time care - but she still hopes to make the world "a little gladder."

Rotorua residents are on a winning streak after three locals won Lotto three times in three weeks. Check out the details here.

A Tauranga park ranger is about to start work with the best rural fire fighters in the world.

And finally, many Wanganui residents have still not recovered after floods hit three weeks ago - this woman lost almost everything, including her furniture to the sea but support is flooding in.