Thirty Feilding High School students have ditched classes since last week as a row over unpaid school fees heats up.
Principal Roger Menzies said the students walked out after he "put a bit of heat on" parents to pay outstanding fees - which he said were as lowas $36 - as part of the school's "Get Tough" campaign.
Parent Rakatau Albert, whose daughter was one of those at home, told 3 News the school had a "pretty high esteem of itself" and he was unhappy with the move.
"I think it's not very good for the community plus for the other parents whose kids got sent home."
But Mr Menzies said schools were underfunded and relied on parents paying.
Some overdue payments dated back several years.
"What happens if you don't pay your power bill - I put it to you that they will probably cut the power off."
Ministry of Education rules state the right to a free education means the payment of a fee cannot be a prerequisite for enrolment or attendance for a New Zealand student.
Mr Menzies said suggestions the ministry was investigating the school's actions were incorrect.
The fees related to "take home components" of classes, such as chemicals used in photography or materials in woodwork. It did not relate to the non-compulsory fees.
Students were given the option of staying at school supervised but not in timetabled classes until parents contacted the school, but around 30 had ditched classes altogether.
