Here at 3news.co.nz we enjoy the weird and wacky stories that emerge from New Zealand and around the world. We’ve chosen 100 of the very best from the last year…
1. Apparently it’s time to eat your pet.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Is-owning-a-dog-an-eco-crime/tabid/420/articleID/126534/Default.aspx
2. Jellyfish can be as large as sumo wrestlers.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Gigantic-jellyfish-sink-a-ship-off-Japans-coast/tabid/572/articleID/132235/Default.aspx
3. It’s surprisingly hard to get pregnant.
http://www.3news.co.nz/How-to-get-pregnant---its-not-that-simple/tabid/372/articleID/108668/Default.aspx
4. The Queen has got a Maori tattoo.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Queen-with-moko-artwork-upsets/tabid/973/articleID/134624/Default.aspx
5. It’s possible to lose $500 million… but still remain top of New Zealand’s rich list.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Recession-hits-Kiwi-rich-list/tabid/423/articleID/113767/cat/84/Default.aspx
6. 200 icebergs were heading for Stewart Island.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Iceberg-near-NZ-is-actually-underwater-reef/tabid/417/articleID/131207/cat/61/Default.aspx
7. The humble cow could hold the key to losing weight.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Cows-may-help-humans-lose-weight-/tabid/420/articleID/116371/Default.aspx
8. 100,000 women are offended by “sexist” politician.
http://www.3news.co.nz/100000-Italian-women-offended-by-Berlusconi/tabid/417/articleID/126625/Default.aspx
9. Tyra Banks loves our butter.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Tyra-Banks-NZ-is-so-absolutely-beautiful/tabid/1166/articleID/134462/Default.aspx
10. Octopuses like collecting things..
http://www.3news.co.nz/Coconut-collecting-octopus-excites-science-world-/tabid/417/articleID/134249/Default.aspx
11. Bluff’s resident sea lion finds a new home.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Bluffs-resident-sea-lion-finds-new-home/tabid/423/articleID/103605/Default.aspx
12. Britney Spears is a role model for mums.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Britney-Spears-voted-best-celebrity-mum/tabid/418/articleID/126018/Default.aspx
13. A quarter of a million people want to watch a giant Buzzy Bee.
http://www.3news.co.nz/250000-pack-streets-for-Santa-Parade/tabid/312/articleID/131798/Default.aspx
14. A record five women are honoured with Nobel Prizes.
http://www.3news.co.nz/World/Story/tabid/417/articleID/133812/cat/61/Default.aspx
15. A billboard featuring Joseph and Mary in bed ruffles a few feathers.
http://www.3news.co.nz/God-a-hard-act-to-follow---billboard/tabid/973/articleID/134438/Default.aspx
16. Why wait a tiresome 18 weeks to find out the sex of your baby.
http://www.3news.co.nz/New-test-tells-gender-of-baby-at-eight-weeks/tabid/367/articleID/125079/Default.aspx
17. Redheads prove they can sing, as well as be ginger.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Redheads-unite-for-ginger-themed-music-video-/tabid/418/articleID/128058/Default.aspx
18. Hundreds of men pay to honour ‘Bishop’ Brian Tamaki.
http://www.3news.co.nz/700-Destiny-Church-men-pledge-allegiance-to-Bishop-Brian-Tamaki/tabid/209/articleID/127437/Default.aspx
19. ‘Tattoo Stu’ bowls himself into the record books.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Tattoo-Stu-bowls-himself-into-Guinness-Book-of-Records/tabid/309/articleID/121730/Default.aspx
20. You can record with a rock icon without ever meeting him.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Eight-Kiwis-to-record-song-with-Iggy-Pop-tomorrow/tabid/418/articleID/127408/Default.aspx
21. Doh! Springfield’s giant doughnut catches fire.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Springfields-giant-donut-destroyed-by-fire/tabid/423/articleID/123084/Default.aspx
22. Sexy teens are booted out of a Christian school.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Top-role-for-student-revoked-because-of-sex/tabid/817/articleID/133268/Default.aspx
23. Dads spend an average of 37 hours with their kids.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Dads-should-get-paid-parental-leave---commission-/tabid/420/articleID/132210/Default.aspx
24. Fake eye lashes and hair removal cream are among our most desired products.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Top-Beauty-products-of-2009/tabid/420/articleID/135227/Default.aspx
25. Getting married is good for your health.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Marriage-good-downsides-when-it-fails---study/tabid/420/articleID/134168/Default.aspx
26. Cooking up a pet dog isn’t against the law.
http://www.3news.co.nz/SPCA-Man-who-barbequed-pet-dog-cannot-be-prosecuted/tabid/209/articleID/116819/Default.aspx
27. People power can win over chocolate giant.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Cadbury-ditches-new-and-improved-chocolate-recipe/tabid/423/articleID/116970/Default.aspx
28. The RSA is the new cool teen hangout.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Teens-finding-new-friends-at-the-RSA/tabid/367/articleID/134599/Default.aspx
29. A ticket to the Rugby World Cup will cost up to $1000.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Rugby-World-Cup-tickets-will-cost-every-New-Zealander/tabid/423/articleID/132730/Default.aspx
30. Maori don’t have a “warrior gene” after all.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Maori-do-not-have-warrior-gene-causing-violent-behaviour---study/tabid/423/articleID/120663/Default.aspx
31. A Kiwi can survive 60 days at sea in a makeshift boat.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Yachties-experience-saved-him-says-friend/tabid/417/articleID/127819/Default.aspx
32. A quarter of a million dollar bid for a tractor is too good to be true.
http://www.3news.co.nz/TradeMe-tractor-auction-for-250000-falls-through/tabid/421/articleID/105775/Default.aspx
33. You can freeze horse semen.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Vet-to-trial-freezing-sex-sorted-horse-semen-this-season/tabid/423/articleID/122436/Default.aspx
34. Boys and girls should be separated in the classroom.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Study-shows-boys-achieve-better-results-at-single-sex-schools/tabid/370/articleID/117522/Default.aspx
35. Need to see a dentist? Pop across to India!
http://www.3news.co.nz/Tourists-flocking-to-India-for-cheap-dental-care---and-a-holiday/tabid/303/articleID/97052/Default.aspx
36. Frugal neighbours like swopping food.
http://www.3news.co.nz/New-website-helps-neighbours-share-produce-/tabid/420/articleID/135353/Default.aspx
37. The Russian leader practices judo on students.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Putin-shows-off-his-black-belt-martial-arts-skills/tabid/417/articleID/134910/Default.aspx
38. Johnny Depp misses out on top spot in ‘most kissable’ list.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Robert-Pattinson-is-top-Christmas-kiss/tabid/418/articleID/135382/Default.aspx
39. A Canterbury couple marry in the nude.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Canterbury-couple-marry-in-the-nude/tabid/312/articleID/122606/Default.aspx
40. 400 million ‘mythical’ shellfish live on a Far North beach.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Locals-enjoying-mythical-shellfish-thriving-along-Far-North-coastline/tabid/420/articleID/86489/Default.aspx
41. Italy’s Premier heaps praise on Obama’s tan.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Berlusconi-calls-Obama-tanned-again/tabid/417/articleID/122991/Default.aspx
42. If you fancy a tipple, you better get bidding.
http://www.3news.co.nz/TradeMe-selling-wine/tabid/420/articleID/117500/Default.aspx
43. It’s possible to turn $2,000 into almost $800,000.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Man-wins-more-than-700k-at-races/tabid/209/articleID/135686/Default.aspx
44. Students and Nazi jokes prove very offensive...
http://www.3news.co.nz/Nazi-prank-students-to-apologise-to-museum-staff-and-war-veterans/tabid/309/articleID/126037/Default.aspx
45. Pin-up Pam is happiest when naked.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Pamela-Anderson-reveals-all-ahead-of-catwalk-debut/tabid/418/articleID/122595/Default.aspx
46. Kiwi Santa finally loses the dodgy wink.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Akls-Santa-undergoes-cosmetic-surgery/tabid/420/articleID/130340/Default.aspx
47. PM’s sloppy handwriting proves offensive.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Brown-makes-emotional-apology-to-bereaved-mother/tabid/313/articleID/129183/Default.aspx
48. Bareheaded Harawira escapes a telling off.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Harawira-let-off-for-motorcycle-helmet-gaffe/tabid/419/articleID/134322/Default.aspx
49. Beefy Putin will strip off in Siberia.
http://www.3news.co.nz/K-G-Beefcake-Putin-bares-his-chest-in-Siberia/tabid/417/articleID/115471/Default.aspx
50. Kapiti Coast bar told ‘you can’t ban young people’
http://www.3news.co.nz/Bar-owner-warned-over-banning-young-people/tabid/423/articleID/137022/Default.aspx
51. Lucky fan tours with All Blacks.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Lucky-fan-documents-All-Blacks-on-tour/tabid/367/articleID/129459/Default.aspx
52. It’s boobs galore on Queen Street.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Extended-footage-of-Boobs-on-Bikes-09/tabid/418/articleID/122375/Default.aspx
53. Celebrations go with a bang if you include a missile-toting truck.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Communist-China-marks-60-years-with-tanks-kitsch/tabid/417/articleID/123691/Default.aspx
54. You can feed a family of four for $100.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Taranaki-woman-saving-thousands-by-feeding-her-family-off-100-a-week/tabid/420/articleID/110573/Default.aspx
55. It’s a good idea to chuck an old CD on the compost.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Recycling-in-the-garden/tabid/572/articleID/115518/Default.aspx
56. Flashing and driving is dangerous.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Woman-flashes-gets-hit-by-car/tabid/423/articleID/134386/Default.aspx
57. It’s Minties, but not as we know them.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Cadbury-changes-recipe-of-Minties-lollies-/tabid/303/articleID/130034/Default.aspx
58. French kissing isn’t liked by all French.
http://www.3news.co.nz/French-government-a-kiss-on-the-cheek-spreads-swine-flu/tabid/313/articleID/120559/Default.aspx
59. Monster burger contains 1000 calories.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Burger-King-unveils-1000-calorie-monster-burger/tabid/973/articleID/131443/Default.aspx
60. Police “floor it” into a tattoo parlour.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Patrol-car-smashes-into-tattoo-parlour/tabid/728/articleID/125047/Default.aspx
61. It isn’t safe to hold a venomous snake by the tail.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Snake-handler-gives-some-life-saving-advice/tabid/313/articleID/135565/Default.aspx
62. Nudity can offend teenagers.
http://www.3news.co.nz/1000-sign-petition-to-ban-public-nudity-and-profanity/tabid/973/articleID/130092/Default.aspx
63. Lions, tigers and bears can be best buddies.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Best-friends-Lion-tiger-and-bear---oh-my-/tabid/417/articleID/135204/Default.aspx
64. Pot-bellied sea horses can reach 35cm in length.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Watch-out-for-30cm-seahorses---NIWA/tabid/420/articleID/135497/Default.aspx
65. A ‘U2’ stage set costs $40 million.
http://www.3news.co.nz/U2-break-attendance-record-at-Wembley/tabid/418/articleID/116949/Default.aspx
66. Police don’t like 111 calls over petty squabbles…
http://www.3news.co.nz/Woman-calls-911-when-husband-refuses-to-eat-dinner/tabid/417/articleID/135324/Default.aspx
67. Recycled bags cause shoppers to cry.
http://www.3news.co.nz/New-World-changes-its-tactics-on-plastic-bags/tabid/421/articleID/119798/Default.aspx
68. It’s possible to heat a house for just $40 a year.
http://www.3news.co.nz/41-a-year-in-heating-costs-Yes-please/tabid/817/articleID/105241/Default.aspx
69. It’s hungry work being a US convict.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Police-nab-woman-with-nearly-600-of-stolen-meat/tabid/417/articleID/132999/Default.aspx
70. Building projects should be planned like a wedding.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Renovating-tips-that-wont-break-the-budget/tabid/572/articleID/123702/Default.aspx
71. One in 110 US kids are autistic.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Hotel-caters-for-autistic-kids/tabid/420/articleID/136249/Default.aspx
72. A pile of rubbish is worth $15,000.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Losers-complain-about-winning-rubbish-artwork/tabid/973/articleID/120211/Default.aspx
73. More than 75,000 Kiwis suffer from gout.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Lifestyle/Story/tabid/420/articleID/137130/Default.aspx
74. More than 61 million people call Britain home.
http://www.3news.co.nz/UKs-population-hits-record-high-61-million/tabid/313/articleID/118701/Default.aspx
75. You can buy bacon, and peanut-butter flavoured doughnuts.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Lifestyle/Story/tabid/420/articleID/137115/Default.aspx
76. Even bears go bald.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Balding-bears-at-German-zoo/tabid/417/articleID/128349/Default.aspx
77. You shouldn’t cook a turkey without a thermometer.
http://www.3news.co.nz/How-to-cook-perfect-Christmas-turkey/tabid/572/articleID/134491/Default.aspx
78. Kiwi scientists discover how to ‘light up’ cancer cells
http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-discovery-to-revolutionise-cancer-detection-/tabid/372/articleID/134408/Default.aspx
79. Barefoot babies shouldn’t go to Burger King.
http://www.3news.co.nz/No-shoes-no-service---even-if-youre-a-baby/tabid/973/articleID/115752/Default.aspx
80. Temperatures will rise by 5 degrees by the end of the century.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Niwa-says-2009-5th-hottest-year-globally-in-130-years/tabid/423/articleID/135504/Default.aspx
81. Dennis the Menace lives in Hawkes Bay.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Dennis-the-Menace-original-found-in-Hawkes-Bay/tabid/418/articleID/124041/Default.aspx
82. Divorce costs Berlusconi $83 milion a year.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Silvio-Berlusconis-wife-seeks-pricey-alimony/tabid/417/articleID/131598/Default.aspx
83. Jack is way more popular than Hugo, and Sophie beats Lily.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Most-popular-baby-names-of-2009/tabid/420/articleID/136156/Default.aspx
84. A Twilight star is inspired by James Dean.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Twilights-Robert-Pattinson-owes-success-to-James-Dean/tabid/418/articleID/126965/Default.aspx
85. Watching V8s from a rooftop isn’t a good idea.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Family-fined-for-watching-from-roof-We-hate-the-V8s/tabid/209/articleID/111934/Default.aspx
86. The secret to tender paua is all in the killing.
http://www.3news.co.nz/How-to-get-the-best-out-of-Paua/tabid/209/articleID/131310/Default.aspx
87. Nearly 1 in 4 people practice Islam.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Quarter-of-the-worlds-population-Muslim---study/tabid/417/articleID/124618/Default.aspx
88. A train can reach 390 kph.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Worlds-fastest-train-launched/tabid/417/articleID/135468/Default.aspx
89. 88,000 Kiwis are up for a laugh.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Thousands-flocked-to-NZ-Comedy-Festival/tabid/418/articleID/106127/Default.aspx
90. About 40% of Kiwi women are shorter than five foot four.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Suzanne-Paul-launches-clothing-line-despite-setbacks/tabid/421/articleID/102352/Default.aspx
91. Hardy Hawkes Bay locals can survive weeks without water.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Hawkes-Bay-town-doing-without-water/tabid/303/articleID/92668/Default.aspx
92. The Flight of the Conchords prefer to play tennis with giant rackets.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Its-tennis-time-with-Flight-of-the-Conchords/tabid/303/articleID/96395/Default.aspx
93. Suri Cruise loves cuddling kangaroos.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Tom-Cruise-buys-Suri-a-kangaroo/tabid/418/articleID/111245/Default.aspx
94. Unicyclists are athletes not clowns.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Unicycles-descend-on-Wellington-for-World-Champs/tabid/423/articleID/135568/Default.aspx
95. A local Mayor will go topless on TV.
http://www.3news.co.nz/North-Shores-mayor-goes-semi-naked-in-public/tabid/572/articleID/110787/Default.aspx
96. Alcohol + Students + Togas = Disaster!
http://www.3news.co.nz/Otago-students-toga-parade-turns-into-shambles/tabid/423/articleID/92726/Default.aspx
97. Eating plants can see off cancer.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Eat-veges-and-avoid-cancer-says-cancer-researcher/tabid/371/articleID/117810/Default.aspx
98. Russian kangaroo-ban causes Aussie plague.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Kangaroos-take-over-Aussie-towns/tabid/420/articleID/128557/Default.aspx
99. Tom Cruise inspired the ‘American Psycho’ character.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Tom-Cruise-was-American-Psycho-inspiration/tabid/418/articleID/126476/Default.aspx
100. Cow dung makes a decent statue.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Artist-protests-damage-to-environment-with-Nick-Smith-dung-sculpture/tabid/418/articleID/127413/Default.aspx