NZ@Noon: Vandals target Colin Craig

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig's image had been defaced with devil horns. Photo / George Novak

Stories making headlines around the regions today include vandals targeting Colin Craig's election signs in Tauranga and a Wanganui teenager sentenced to write an essay for drink driving.

Conservative leader Colin Craig's election signs have become the first casualty of vandalism in the lead up to the election in Tauranga.

A woman who drove straight to Whangarei police station to report an attempted carjacking is appalled she was told by a constable to ring 111 to get a police officer to attend.

Rotorua carver Niki Nepia will be learning from the masters when he takes a three-month trip to China to advance his skills in the ancient art.

A Wanganui teenager who was over the blood-alcohol limit for his age is expected to write an essay about his experience for a local newspaper.

Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park has been voted one of the best in the South Pacific by a leading travel service.

Finally, Hawke's Bay is set to get a boost on Friday forecast to be sunny and, with temperatures set to reach a high of 19C.