The world's descent into madness continued in 2019, New Zealand no exception.
Here are the strangest yarns Newshub covered this year that took place in Aotearoa. (Also check out the strangest stories from around the world we covered in 2019.)
Auckland mayoral hopeful promises a monorail
If it's not a golden rule of politics already, it should be - don't suggest anything that was too stupid even for Springfield.
Auckland mayoral hopeful Craig Lord's suggestion of a monorail for the super city briefly took scrutiny off rival John Tamihere's suggestion of a double-decker bridge across the harbour.
In the end both were easily defeated by incumbent Phil Goff. The monorail, to this day, remains more of a Shelbyville idea.
Pranksters form 'human motorbike' to order from Burger King drive-thru
Future generations will likely find it strange that fast-food restaurants once had staff who were only allowed to serve people too lazy to walk.
Three hungry Aucklanders solved that problem by forming a 'human motorbike', but it didn't end as well for the staff, who were reprimanded by bosses after video of the unusual order went viral.
Serving the trio perhaps prevented them from resorting to forming a human centipede for sustenance however.
'Go boy go!': Timaru man on mobility scooter chased by police
Police chases all-too-often end in death, but there was little chance of that happening on the streets of Timaru in August.
A man on a mobility scooter weaved in and out of traffic and onto a footpath, as police gave low-speed chase.
Police said no arrests were made, perhaps because it was the most entertainment Timaru's had in years. The fugitive later said he was in a hurry to get home and make dinner.
Kris Faafoi and Judith Collins reveal their pro-wrestling alter-egos
In July, The AM Show regulars Kris Faafoi and Judith Collins were asked what their wrestling names would, if they'd taken wildly different paths in life.
Faafoi - a highly respected Cabinet minister - suggested 'Tokelauan Tornado' because it would have alliteration. Collins, told she wasn't allowed go with her 'Crusher' nickname, opted for 'Favourite Aunty' before accepting co-host Mark Richardson's suggestion of 'Judge Judith and Executioner'.
Look, it might have been a slow news day, alright?
'Stolen' Gore sheep never left farm - police
The original story itself was strange enough - 320 sheep, their backs spraypainted orange, mysteriously vanished from a Southland farm.
But it turned out the wool had been pulled over police's eyes - the sheep hadn't gone missing at all.
The misunderstanding was put down to a baaaad administrative error.
Why drinking bleach is a bad idea, according to scientists
Seeking to one-up 2018's idiotic Tide pods craze, in 2019 numerous morons uploaded videos to YouTube showing how to 'cure' a wide array of conditions by drinking bleach.
It got so bad, scientists had to step in and point out the only condition drinking bleach can effectively cure is being alive.
One bleach seller Newshub spoke to said if it cleans water, the same must be true for humans, failing to understand humans are not actually water.
Rowdy tourists: Hiding in the mountains, fearing local attacks
In the first few weeks of 2019, 50 percent of all news coverage and 95 percent of all reader clicks were on the tale of a rowdy group of British tourists.
The epic saga began when they reportedly left a pile of rubbish on a North Shore beach, and one of them - described in Newshub's initial reporting as a "little boy" - threatened to knock a local woman's "brains out".
They left a trail of destruction across the North Island, from which the nation is yet to recover.
11yo tries and fails to bribe Ardern into funding dragon research
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has had a busy year, but still found time to reject the best idea any New Zealander has ever had - dragon research.
"We were very interested to hear your suggestions about psychics and dragons, but unfortunately we are not currently doing any work in either of these areas," Ardern wrote back to the country's youngest Game of Thrones fan.
"I am therefore returning your bribe money, and I wish you all the very best in your quest for telekinesis, telepathy and dragons."
'I own the Viaduct': Woman ridiculed over farcical excuse for illegal park
There is rarely a good excuse for inconsiderate parking, but an Auckland woman's astoundingly poor alibi made international headlines in February.
"I actually am legally allowed to be here - I own the whole Viaduct," she claimed.
Newshub investigated, and unsurprisingly found not only did she not own the whole Viaduct, she probably didn't own any of it.
Daily Mail tells Aussies to 'be prepared' for quake in New Zealand
If you're going to warn readers an "absolutely terrifying" quake is going to hit, you should probably make sure you have the right country.
The UK's Daily Mail tabloid, not known for its grasp on basic facts at the best of times, unleashed a howler in January when it told Australians to be prepared in case the Hikurangi subduction zone ruptured.
The Hikurangi subduction zone - as you might have guessed by its distinctly Māori name - is off the eastern coast of New Zealand.
