From today, New Zealanders will be able to get prescriptions that won't need to be renewed through their GPs for a whole year.

The change will impact those with long-term conditions like asthma and epilepsy.

GPs will decide on a case by case basis whether it's safe to prescribe a medication for the full 12 months, and patients will no longer have to see their GP every 3 months for a new script.

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It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi.

A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches.

Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead.

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A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail.

His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report.

This case has raised questioins around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system.

He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system.

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