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The government is threatening parents with prosecution if their children spend too much time away from school. From 2026, schools will be required to have a stepped plan in place for responding to truancy. Associate Education Minister David Seymour suggests more than five days absence from class could trigger a principal-parent meeting, and the Ministry would be called in after 15 days, Principal of Hora Hora School in Whangarei, Pat Newman spoke to Susana Lei'ataua.