NZ@Noon: Stolen hives and pet cats nabbed

Traps around the Stratford area may be responsible for a woman's missing pets.

Stolen hives in Northland and missing pets in Stratford are just two of the stories making headlines around the regions today.

Almost 30 beehives have been stolen from Northland in the last two weeks.

A Stratford woman fears feral cats aren't the only critters getting caught in traps around her home after two of her beloved pets disappeared.

A Bay of Plenty centenarian got the best present of all for her birthday - a surprise visit from her favourite MP.

The overnight dumping of a truckload of junk and household rubbish in Featherston has outraged the South Wairarapa community.

In Wanganui, the flood-ravaged Riverland Family Park is still waiting to be cleaned up.

Police are hoping to permanently confiscate two boats seized from alleged oyster thieves in the Bay of Islands last week.

Lake Tarawera was buzzing last night with anxious anglers drawn by the lure of fish, fun and fanfare as the season begins.

"Everyone" in Central Hawk'es Bay is apparently "dead against" the prospect of legal highs being sold in the area.

And finally, crowds descended on Auckland's newest retail facility as NorthWest Shopping Centre opened to the public today at 9am.