NZ at Noon: Babysitter saga + kokako stalkers

Former Rotorua man Ronnie Ransfield (pictured) and his wife Jennifer have spent years and thousands of dollars trying to prove they are the parents of Tania Ransfield, 18 (right). Photo / Daily Post

Stories making headlines across New Zealand at noon include a bizarre saga involving a babysitter that claims she is the parent of a child that's not hers, synthetic cannabis users increasingly ending up in psych wards and how to stalk kokakos.

Rongo Ransfield aka Ronnie thought the battle to keep his child was over many years ago but his former babysitter at the centre of the "most bizarre case" a judge has ever had to deal with is back.

Synthetic cannabis users are ending up in mental-health wards in increasing numbers with a new law banning the substances apparently proving useless.

Check out the big new geyser on Lake Rotomahana.

A man who went to get some KFC in Hastings ended up being carried off in an ambulance with his jaw broken in two places, teeth knocked out and wounds to his arms and legs.

A government department charged with tracking down Internet perverts says even if you look at objectionable material and don't download it they will eventually come knocking on your door.

Northlanders will soon be able to observe some living dinosaurs. Meanwhile Hatea Dr residents had been waiting for a traffic accident to happen, and then it did.

You can't find a greeting card for Betty and Bob's milestone. Meanwhile a More FM Bay of Islands breakfast host was ordered by his bosses to go sit on a traffic island for a few hours.

Five kokako released in Puketi Forest are being followed around.

Meanwhile in one of New Zealand's main food producing regions, a quarter of primary and intermediate pupils in poorer areas go to school hungry.

The owners of Hastings' Mega Park Centre have emptied their rodent infested overflowing rubbish bins, apparently for the first time in the months since they were installed.

If you are taking a trip to the big smoke in your Nissan then read this.

The Hamilton East police station no longer has a "front counter" where members of the public can take concerns or seek information.

The taxman could apparently swoop on farmers market traders and Trade Me sellers at any time.

A man has appeared in the High Court on charges related to Meow Meow, M Cat and Kitty Cat.

Looks like there's a crackdown on bars allowing drunk patrons on the premises, at least in Hawke's Bay and Tauranga.

Here's some pictures of a seal relaxing at Greerton Park.

A Wanganui ratepayer has accused Wanganui District Council of being hypocritical and underhanded.

Commercial pilot Matthew Sullivan's "obsessiveness" for his former wife and children has landed him in prison again.

Frustrations have flared among some Ashburton councillors again.

When Peter Livingstone asked the Ministry of Education for a new classroom, he was speechless following the response.

Men were reportedly in tears as Delta confirmed job losses yesterday.

A Dunedin community board member apparently used a public lecture to deliver a diatribe against the Dunedin City Council and its staff.

Two people had to be cut free from their vehicles after a head-on crash at Maheno.

Meanwhile on the West Coast Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn is making accusations of "treachery."

The top trending topics on Twitter in NZ at noon were: #FollowMeBeau, #XFACTORTV3, #SilverFerns, LWWY, New Zealand, iOS 6, #IfWeGoOutJustKnow, #STWOFonHot30, #ngwa12 and Simon.