A month-long series of festive events to welcome the Year of the Horse will follow the Prime Minister's dotting of the lion's eyes today.

She grew up in Whangarei as a ballerina and a vegetarian, but 23-year-old Emma Phillips is back as a Mandarin-speaking acrobat who loves eating duck heads.

NZ's population has passed the 4.5 million mark, according to Statistics NZ - meet the baby that pushed us over that milestone.

Editorial: It has been a long wait for a clear measure of New Zealand's population. Now the census confirms it's 4.24m, it's time to think about how to increase that headcount.

SME owners often don't understand the need for, or value of, an independent director. Kare Johnstone offers seven tips.

Siobhan Keogh was a fan of Grand Theft Auto, but the near-pornographic portrayal of women has put her off completely.

The Labour Party conference in Christchurch this weekend looks set to approve a remit that will require its list to "fairly represent" gays and lesbians among candidates.

Sometimes, changes in attitude are apparent not so much because of what is being said as what is not being said.

South Asian Muslims in Auckland report feeling secure, but some say they'd received "prejudicial treatment" in their dealings with police.

As Auckland approaches a statistical high of 200 different cultures in its workforce, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to effectively manage employee diversity.

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.

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

Martin Luther King she is not, but the new Race Relations Commissioner adopted some of the American civil rights legend's soaring rhetoric yesterday.

In the months ahead Aucklanders can sample the city's vibrant cultures, writes Alexia Santamaria.

Around 100,000 people are expected at Western Springs Lakeside Park in Auckland today for the annual Pasifika festival.

Island drums and sounds from the Pacific will be joined by those from traditional island choirs and church bands at this year's Pasifika Festival.

A women's entrepreneurs week will be kicked off at an event in Auckland on Thursday.

When it comes to preparing meat for barbecue no one does it better than the Koreans, believes chef Yeon Yi Go.

Laksa is one of the hottest-selling items on the menu of Mamak Malaysian Cafe, and is popular with Asians and non-Asians alike, says chef and cafe co-owner Charlotte Ng.

The gender pay gap is the biggest it has been in 10 years, according to new data from Statistic New Zealand.