A Massey University senior lecturer in education says schools need to do more to better engage students who prefer to play truant than learn.
An estimated 30,000 primary and secondary students skip school each week, based on the most recent figures from the Ministry of Education.
Dr Michael Irwin says if a student feels connected to school, they are less likely to avoid it.
He says the wider community must also play its part in making sure children attend school.
