An Auckland Grammar student is taking his school to court after he was punished for not cutting his hair.

James Hunt, who is in Year 9, was stood down for a day last week after refusing to cut his hair. The school's rules state that students' hair must not touch the collar.

James last cut his hair in January to allow him to begin school. The 13-year-old wore his hair long in memory of his grandfather Paul Hunt, who died a day before he was born and was once expelled from school for his long hair.

James has employed lawyer Jol Bates to challenge Auckland Grammar's rule. Bates successfully defended St John's College student Lucan Battison in 2014 after the then-16 year-old was suspended for long hair.

TVNZ Sunday Journalist Pippa Wetzell joins The Panel on The Weekend Collective to discuss this, along with the big issues making news headlines this week.