A hikoi due to arrive at parliament today brings shame to Maori and leaders should call it off, a Ngapuhi activist says.

In addition to the National Memorial Service in Christchurch tomorrow, events will be held in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

A grandmother jailed after driving at nearly twice the legal alcohol limit and killing cyclist Frank van Kampen on the Kapiti Coast has been released on parole after serving just half of her sentence.

Thirty-five jobs may be up for the chop but affected staff are being consulted before any decisions, Niwa says.

Bernard Beckett tells Graham Reid about writing for the savvy teens of today.

If you're a keen follower of the Chiefs, get used to traversing an 80-minute roller-coaster of emotions.

Barnaby Weir has built such a strong brand for himself fronting his big bands Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties, that he had the confidence to drop the dub, the back-up and the moniker for his latest solo venture.

Here's more to add to your gig diary - though you'd be in a fairly unique demographic if you were after tickets to all of this lot.

Hone Harawira says it was "dumb" and shameful that he forgot to vote on the bill that was the main reason for his break with the Maori Party.