In our second debate on the Electoral Commission's recommendations for MMP, Graeme Edgeler and Muriel Newman put the arguments for and against reducing the threshold. Join the debate and leave your comments at the end.

A young huntaway that was seized from its owner after becoming badly malnourished has bounced back in the care of a loving Bay of Plenty family.

The Electoral Commission recommends abolishing the rule that allocates list seats to parties which win an electorate seat but do not reach the required threshold of votes. Do you agree? Vote now.

A youngster from the Solomon Islands has taken on the future king of England in a show of football prowess - and won. "He was good, yes, but not as good as me," said Philemon Fatai, 13.

A worldwide treaty banning aerosols 25 years ago averted a global catastrophe, New Zealand ozone layer scientists said today.

The Wellington Zoo's six-year-old male giraffe Seun died today after an operation to cure a painful hoof condition.

Labour MP Maryan Street is proposing a law change to permit voluntary euthanasia under some circumstances. Two doctors argue the pros and cons. You can scroll down to the bottom of the page and vote 'Yes' or 'No' and also leave a comment.

Paul Holmes went into hospital expecting keyhole surgery on his heart. He never dreamed he would instead endure open heart surgery.

Bus operators hold lives in their hands, work difficult shifts for little reward, but would prefer to avoid strike, Peter Calder writes in the first instalment of his new column.

Norwegian newsprint giant Norske Skog confirmed today that it will halve newsprint production at its Tasman Mill at Kawerau. A union claims more than 100 of the 280 employees may lose their jobs.

A former detective has been sentenced to 10 months' home detention for defrauding a national sevens tournament of $64,000.

A Dunedin woman having a bite to eat found something extra crunchy and unwelcome at the bottom of her packet of chips.