A primary school principal in Whangarei had earlier called for exactly this - in 2019 Horahora primary's Pat Newman called for more prosecutions for parents who deliberately fail to send their kids to school. But six years on, he has changed his mind. Pat Newman spoke to Paddy Gower.

In Waikato there were reports of a suspected tornado tearing through at least one Hamilton suburb. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Moana Pasifika, the Blues and the Waratahs are all fighting for the last spot in the Super Rugby playoffs. Rugby writer and commentator Tony Johnson spoke to Paddy Gower.

The government's released new rules and policies telling Councils how to manage everything from housing and mining to water. Federated Farmers National Vice President Colin Hurst spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

David Seymour has vowed to keep speaking freely as he takes over as deputy prime minister - while an unshackled Winston Peters shifts into campaign mode - with a plan to avoid another handover next term. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

The Ministry of Education is proactively contacting schools and truancy officers to ensure parents of children with chronically low attendance are referred to them, so they can consider prosecuting. Kaitaia College principal Louise Anaru spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Parents who refuse to send their children to school are more likely to be prosecuted as the government cracks down on truancy. Association Education Minister David Seymour spoke to reporter Lauren Crimp.

Christchurch-based musician Amelia Murray, better known as Fazerdaze, was named Best Solo Artist and also took out the coveted Album of the Year award for her third release, Soft Power. Murray spoke to Paddy Gower.

A Christchurch man who died in Ukraine while helping in the country's war efforts, had previously posted online that he was living the dream. Ron Mark, who has been in the Ukraine war zone spoke to Paddy Gower.

The cleanup is underway in Hamilton after a possible tornado tore through some Hamilton suburbs on Thursday night. Civil Defence controller Kelvin Powell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.