United Kingdom correspondent Alice Wilkins spoke to Lisa Owen about how the man arrested over the Liverpool parade crash is due to appear in court, how packets of Haribo lollies are being recalled in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found and how a Welsh woman is offering a $1000 reward for the safe return of her pet tortoise.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Rail services in the capital and Auckland are grinding to a halt this long weekend for maintenance, disrupting travel for tens thousand of people, including rugby fans. In Auckland services are off from today. Buses will replace trains allow for ongoing up-graded need for the City Rail Link Project's that already caused significant upheaval. In Wellington he rail shut down is from tomorrow, which could prove challenging for the tens of thousands of people trying to get to the Sky Stadium for the big game between Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes. Kiwi Rail's chief metro and capital programme officer Dave Gorden spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kiwi MMA fighter Dan Hooker has vowed to stage more backyard fights in future. The UFC lightweight last weekend hosted 32 men in a 'one minute scrap' tournament for a 50,000 dollar prize. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

After one of the most respected child advocacy agencies in the world ranked New Zealand the lowest out of 36 countries for youth mental health, the appalling figure was widely quoted. The report on global child wellbeing also highlights New Zealand as having the worst rate of youth suicide. But two Auckland University researchers are disputing that figure, and now a former UNICEF Aotearoa employee is backing their claims. Davina Zimmer reports.

Pushing to prosecute parents of chronically truant kids is a pointless exercise according to one school principal. Associate Education Minister David Seymour is leading the government charge to get more kids back in class. He's announced the Education Ministry is proactively contacting schools and attendance officers to make sure parents of chronically absent students are referred to them for possible prosecution. Rangiora High School Principal Bruce Kearney spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dargaville residents are being asked to conserve water after maintenance teams have worked for hours to patch major breaks in the system. At one point the towns reservoir was down to 10 percent full. Water trucks from Whangarei, Maungaturoto and Ruawai have been pumping water back into the town supply, but have been struggling to keep pace. Kaipara District Council CEO Jason Marris spoke to Lisa Owen.

Driving schools that offer lessons in high-tech car simulators are at odds with the transport agency over safety risks they could pose for learner drivers once they hit the road. The NZTA argues simulators could encourage over-confidence, putting new drivers at greater risk of crashing, but instructors insist they aren't dangerous. Joe Shaw reports.

A social enterprise in the Hutt Valley said demand for basic essentials has increased since the public sector cuts. Common Unity Project Aotearoa is based in a building called the The Remakery - home to a koha cafe, community garden and textile workshop. It's been providing support to the community for over 12 years, by giving away fresh produce, clothing and and hosting training workshops. But as demand soars, so too does the need for more donations. Bella Craig reports.

It's Friday - but for rugby fans it's more of a Fri-YAY as Aotearoa heads into the exciting and somewhat confusing final round of Super Rugby. Sports Reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.