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.

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".

Providing New Zealanders with a living wage is not high on the Government's agenda and it is unlikely to support the campaign, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Actor Grae Burton was the classic "Kiwi bloke" in Tui beer commercials last year. His work only just earned him what unions consider a "living wage".

About 40 truck drivers serving Pak'nSave and New World supermarkets will lose their jobs this year when they are replaced by owner-drivers.

Former independent directors of failed construction group Mainzeal said they had full knowledge of the company's financial position at all times, refuting earlier media reports.

The Mainzeal receivership highlights once again the poor governance of the Richina Pacific group of companies.

Many of Mainzeal's workforce of 400 staff learned about the collapse of the company on Waitangi Day through the media.

A movie chain refusing to talk to a group of workers who are being let go today has found itself with "les miserables" in the flesh.

A hairdresser sacked by late night text was unjustifiably dismissed, says the Employment Relations Authority.

School staff are being told to brace themselves for the worst week of problems with the Novopay payroll system.

A South African who faked work references and lied about his qualifications and experience has won $10,000 compensation for unjustified dismissal.

An attempt by a sacked Oceana Gold employee to claim costs for an ERA hearing has backfired, costing him more than the company was ordered to pay him.

Many have been brought up on a "follow your dream" diet only to find out too late that it doesn't always result in a job. An injection of realism is long overdue.