Leader of NZ Public Party denies encouraging abscondees

The leader of the New Zealand Public Party says he didn't encourage the escape of the family who absconded from a managed isolation facility in Hamilton on Friday. Billy Te Kahika says the family were in distress after being denied compasionate leave to attend a funeral, and contacted him to see if he could help the situation. But, before he was able to do anything, they had escaped the Distinction Hotel. A 37-year-old woman and three young people were detained in Hamilton on Friday night, while a 17-year-old was found in the early hours of Saturday in Auckland. Indira asked Mr Te Kahika about his involvement.