There will be few new faces around the Auckland Council chamber after October's local body elections, with most councillors standing for re-election and little sign of strong contenders to oust the incumbents.

Is working from home really working? Anthony Doesburg reports.

A resthome worker who hid behind a door when discovered with a gardener in a dead resident's studio has been awarded more than $6000 in lost wages.

When American Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics "ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive, eliminate the negative" in 1944, it's unlikely he gave any consideration to the sentiment behind his popular song.

Almost half of Auckland's small and medium-sized firms expect a lift in sales in the coming year, research suggests.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says his proposed tax on employer-provided carparks is about fairness and he questions why opponents have only now challenged the plan.

Steven Joyce, the minister in charge of Novopay, says debt collections have ceased following revelations teachers were being chased for overpayments as low as $22.

The Novopay debacle has hit a new low, with revelations the payroll company and debt collectors are chasing teachers for overpayments as low as $22.

A game keeper who sold off thousands of dollars' worth of antlers without permission has lost his claim of unfair dismissal and been told to pay up thousands.

An 18-year-old bar worker sacked for taking $12 of unclaimed pokie machine winnings as a tip has been awarded more than $13,000 compensation for being unfairly dismissed.

The Employment Relations Authority has awarded a man more than $16,000 after he was sacked for refusing to do a job which he thought was illegal.

A teacher at one of New Zealand's most prestigious private boarding schools was sacked after a disagreement over grades descended into an drawn-out dispute.

Service and Food Workers Union lead organiser Len Richards told a conference launching the living wage at AUT University yesterday that Aucklanders needed $24 an hour to pay higher rents and other costs.

Campaigner Deborah Littman says paying a living wage will require a leap in thinking to accompany an increase in the $13.50 minimum wage to $18.40.

Auckland and Wellington councils have agreed to look into adopting the "living wage" of $18.40 an hour proposed by a coalition of union and community groups.

Parents of students attending Auckland's Diocesan School for Girls pay roughly one and a half times as much in fees as Ana Malolo takes home for cleaning the school.

A deer farm worker who was dismissed after more than 20 animals died from disease has been awarded more than $12,000.

An Indian father of two boys born here is facing deportation after being convicted of helping illegal migrants find work.

It would do no harm - and possibly a great deal of good - for New Zealand to know the minimum a person needs to be paid in this country to have a "living wage".