New Zealand principals have been warned they could breach the Human Rights Act if they stop students taking same-sex partners to their school balls.

Winston Peters compared Dame Susan Devoy, media and others to George Orwell's Ministry of Truth because he felt the impact of immigration was being covered up.

Pregnant women banned from flying are being discriminated against by airlines whose reasons aren't backed up by medical or scientific evidence, a gender expert says.

The latest poll shows that male voters are deserting Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in droves while there is little sign of more women coming on board.

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy says she is still formulating her views on racism and has NZ First leader Winston Peters in her sights.

Sexist attacks on PM Julia Gillard may discourage Australian women from entering politics, says Greens MP Adam Bandt.

A West Coast council is considering the creation of an "eco cemetery".

Hannah Spyksma's open letter: To the men who told me at Eden Park last Saturday evening: "If you don't like us using the word 'faggot' then don't come to the footy..."

The outcome of a Human Rights Commission complaint by a lesbian couple who say they were discriminated against when a Whangarei lodge would not let them share a bed will only be made public if both sides agree.

Booking a last-minute taxi is impossible for Aucklanders confined to wheelchairs, a Herald on Sunday survey has revealed. And when they do get a taxi, they are charged extra.

Kiwis legend Tawera Nikau has hit out at the lack of Maori representation on the NZ Rugby League board.

Of all European countries, you might have thought, France would have taken gay marriage in its stride.

The owner of a spit roast catering company who won the right to ask an employee to cover up her tattoo is backing Air New Zealand's decision not to hire a woman sporting a traditional ta moko on her lower arm.

Judith Collins says Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy is right not to comment on Winston Peters' latest attack on the growing Chinese presence in Auckland.

A gay man was shot dead in New York City while walking with his partner in what police are calling a hate crime.

Two-thirds of Europe's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are still afraid to show their sexuality in public, and a quarter have been victims of physical or verbal attacks, a European Union report says.

A Northland couple are outraged and hurt at being denied accommodation at the Pilgrim Planet Lodge because of "who we are".

Women need to change the conversation from one about rights to one about strategy and economic benefits if they want to improve diversity on boards, according to one top American executive.

Kiwis are more polite about their racism than people in other parts of the world, says university lecturer Camille Nakhid.

As a conference this weekend looks at how racism affects Auckland, Susan Edmunds examines the progress we have made and the work left to do.

The pay divide between men and women has widened by another 80c an hour since the turn of the millennium.

Caregiver Kristine Bartlett believes her hourly wage of $14.46 is less than what would be paid to male employees with the same or similar skills.

Migrant groups aren't convinced New Zealand is a racist country, despite a new poll indicating overwhelmingly that it is.

Reinstating the "Pig Patrol" may be the only way of fixing discrepancies in prosecution rates between Pakeha and Maori and Pacific peoples, a former member says.

Police formed a human barricade to stop factions clashing in a white power protest today in Christchurch.