Prime Minister John Key will use his Waitangi Day address this morning to tackle extremists on both sides of the race relations divide.

The recession has been particularly savage on young workers with 18.4 per cent of the 15 to 24 age group now unemployed.

Twenty years after the end of apartheid, F. W. de Klerk fends off accusations from some white South Africans that he gave South Africa away.

Almost three-quarters of parents support the Government's controversial national achievement standards for primary and intermediate students.

The Prime Minister's dream ride is about to hit rough ground as the difficult and unpopular items on his agenda demand action.

Steven Ratuva says scoring political points will not break the impasse between the two countries.

Health officials tackling Maori smoking want new measures to ban the habit at beaches, playgrounds, bus stops and other areas.

The woman who designed the Tino Rangatiratanga flag disputes accusations that the family of embattled Maori Party MP Hone Harawira are "cashing in" on the flag.

Iwi leaders from around the country will meet with the Prime Minister to discuss issues including foreshore and seabed legislation and water ownership.

School principals want to be treated as "democratically" as Maori immersion schools in the roll-out of national standards.