NZ@Noon: Rescue attempt turns to tragedy

The strip of coastline north of Wairoa where two people drowned yesterday, pictured at sunset last night. Photo / Duncan Brown

A tragic rescue attempt in Wairoa and a foolish trio of teens in Waihi are just some of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

A young boy and his uncle have drowned in Wairoa after trying to save the life of a young girl who fell into the sea.

Three teenagers are accused of trying to detonate a pipe bomb after planting it in a letterbox.

A pipe bomb was found in this Waihi letter box and the bomb squad was called.

A Waihi woman was allegedly kidnapped, raped and kept captive for a number of days in Katikati.

Whangarei families are apparently being forced to share homes, live in garages and in damp and mouldy houses.

Conrad LaPointe from Habitat for Humanity says families across Whangarei are living in appalling conditions.

A methanol tanker has rolled on the Napier-Taupo Highway.

A "massively dangerous" derelict Patea building will be inspected this morning after an 8-year-old boy fell 7m from the roof to the ground.

The old Patea freezing works coolstores building the boy fell from.

Fresh allegations and reports of sexual abuse in Northland are beginning to flood in via police hotlines.

And finally Wairarapa hospital jobs may be next on the chopping block after nation-wide cut backs take effect.