All eyes in the rugby world have turned to the selection of squads for the World Cup. Each major contender has a quandary or two.

The shortcomings at Child, Youth and Family reflect an agency that hasn't coped with a significant switch in societal attitudes to child abuse.

New Zealand was a latecomer in establishing a register for sex offenders. Now, however, Social Development Minister Anne Tolley seems intent on making up for lost time.

New Zealand is a small boat in a storm, but a fairly sturdy one. We have ridden out the past few tempests in the world economy without being swamped and that offers confidence we can survive this one.

Worm farming is a dangerous industry, according to the Government's health and safety reform bill.

If Australia's initiative works well enough, this country should be quick to follow suit.

Rapid increase in visitors who are spending more suggests country offering good value for money.

Some might cheer Ashley Madison breach, but it shows even ordinary people can be hit and hurt by the cyber-zealots.

Screening for any cancer is a big decision and the case needs to be compelling. Only when it is should a national programme proceed.

Tap beneath the surface of an issue and all sorts of questions emerge.

Two major factors - falling international coal prices and a $320 million mountain of debt - proved the undoing of state-owned coal company Solid Energy.

No one expects 'The Donald' to be President, but his rivals might be better to go for him now before he spoils his party's chances.

A convincing display is needed to quell concerns the ageing team could be following the same path as the 1991 World Cup team.

Last year's Mood of the Boardroom survey showed businesses and consumers cock-a-hoop about this country's economic prospects. The mood yesterday was less confident.

The 40 designs selected this week from more than 10,000 proposals have given some focus to the question of whether we should change our national flag.

Even in department stores throughout Europe, it is hard to escape Auckland. That is because of the widespread presence of a Dutch clothing range called NZA New Zealand Auckland.

The Government is right to press ahead with plans to extend the use of electronic monitoring of offenders. But they are far from infallible.

Three years ago, when there was a dramatic fall in the world ranking of America's college graduates, early childhood education was accorded special attention.

People need to be left in no doubt about their responsibility to properly train and socialise their dogs.

If there is one event that defines the modern world, it is the blinding, searing, radioactive explosion over the city of Hiroshima 70 years ago today.

The last thing a police officer probably wants to do is tell a woman her new man has a record of violence in relationships.

It beggars belief that any nurses employed in public hospitals would be allowed to decline vaccinations against winter flu.

the mess the Republicans are making of their challenge has been illustrated yet again by Donald Trump's bumptious hijacking of the British Open women's golf championship.

Lack of moral courage by other spectators at club games allows sideline abusers to get away with their abhorrent behaviour.

A gold-standard free trade agreement, so long the Government's goal for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is not going to eventuate.

Figures showing bank loans to investors outnumbering first-home buyers by three to one are hard evidence of what has undoubtedly been happening for a long time.

Fights in a prison are probably not unusual, and often worse that the "fight club" video from Mt Eden that has had a political chain-reaction.

Providing migrants with an added incentive to settle in regional New Zealand, rather than Auckland, involves a degree of intervention that would not normally be contemplated by a National Government.

Te reo Maori it is primarily an oral language and has survived long enough now to suggest it will not be lost. But imagine how much better it would be if it was celebrated.

The All Blacks are scheduled to play most of their matches at the Rugby World Cup in England, including the final hopefully, during the hours the bars would be closed.