The most popular stories on Stuff last week ranged from the tragic deaths of the mother and daughter who fell from an Auckland high-rise, and a crackdown on puzzling car number plates, to Anna Guy's plans for a TV career.

1. Mother and child in death plunge were Mexican

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7765055/Mother-and-child-in-death-plunge-were-Mexican

A mother and baby who fell from an Auckland apartment block last night were Mexican and had been in the country only a couple of weeks.

2. Soldier found dead after standoff

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7774170/Soldier-found-dead-after-standoff

A soldier was found dead after a five-hour standoff at a Palmerston North army base home.

3. Wheedle shuts site after technology fails

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7756544/Wheedle-shuts-site-after-technology-fails

Wheedle has announced it will close its online marketplace while it carries out a "thorough update" of its systems and processes.

4. Crackdown on puzzling car number plates

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/7749951/Crackdown-on-puzzling-car-number-plates

Police already have the power to pull personalised number plates off cars for being offensive and now they are targeting ones that are confusing.

5. Friday funny: Auditions gone wrong

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/7774247/Friday-funny-Auditions-gone-wrong

Let's be honest. We don't only watch talent shows to discover new stars - we also like to cringe and smirk at contestants' failures.

6. Mike Tyson: NZ visa flip-flop no fair fight

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7780421/Mike-Tyson-NZ-visa-flip-flop-no-fair-fight

Three days after he was banned from New Zealand, Mike Tyson criticised the decision to revoke his visa because of his rape conviction.

7. Farmer eaten by his own pigs

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/7757926/Farmer-eaten-by-his-own-pigs

US authorities are investigating how a US farmer was eaten by his own pigs.

8. It's tough at the top trying to keep ahead

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/7759707/Its-tough-at-the-top-trying-to-keep-ahead

Everyone makes mistakes with money. But when people in the public eye muck up their finances, it's much more visible - and often on a grander scale.

9. Family plan for new life lies in ashes

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7766121/Family-plan-for-new-life-lies-in-ashes

A family's dream of a fresh start in Waikato is in tatters after a fire tore through their Otorohanga home - the day they were to move in.

10. Anna Guy is planning TV career

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/7762376/Anna-Guy-is-planning-TV-career

Anna Guy is considering moving to Auckland to be with her boyfriend and take up a career in broadcasting or public speaking.

- © Fairfax NZ News