The Government's Employment Relations Amendment Bill is best known for its removal of guaranteed rest and meal breaks. What else does it do?

Yesterday the Court of Appeal decided the act meant something more: that women have the right to be paid the same as men doing a different job if the work is comparable.

A man who pointed a laser at a passenger plane carrying 118 people as it came in to Auckland Airport has been told by a judge "there's no more partying".

A suggestion by the Finance Minister councils are increasing poverty through poor planning rules that drive housing costs higher has been labelled 'simplistic'.

Deborah Hart writes: Family law arbitration, the latest conflict-resolution tool for people seeking resolutions for difficult domestic circumstances, marks another milestone.

Private information stored online by European computer users could be scrutinised by American law enforcement agencies.

Winston Peters' talk of sitting on Parliament's cross benches after the election - rather than entering a coalition or propping up a minority government - has never sounded totally convincing.

One of the National-led Govt's final acts in Parliament this term will be to lower the legal drink-driving limit, which means motorists will face stricter rules before Christmas.

Heritage building owners are struggling financially, unable to upgrade their places, breaching banking covenants and forced to sell properties cheaply, says a landlord.

Carrying high-powered laser pointers in a public place without a reasonable excuse will soon be illegal.

A hotel that reportedly didn't pay one of its workers for nearly six months, underpaid her husband, and withheld wages from both, has to pay the couple nearly $80,000.

Australia's Anglican priests will be free to report serious crimes revealed to them during confessions, ending a church law that has its roots in the 12th century.

The sale of synthetic drugs could be banned in poor suburbs such as Otara, Mangere and Henderson and small residential shopping centres under a new proposal.

Peter Dunne warned Government that banning the synthetic drug testing on animals would give momentum to wider campaigns to remove all animal trials.

Ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark says going for a seat on the UN Security Council is part of the responsibility of membership of the UN for countries like NZ.

Editorial: The most contentious idea involves changing the burden of proof so it lies with the perpetrators of child abuse and domestic violence, not the victims.

Media will be able to report on some suicides more openly under new government proposals, which focus more narrowly on the publication of details most likely to cause harm.

Police will soon make a step towards "user pays" by charging for criminal checks for the first time.

A law change to take synthetic drugs off the shelves will be passed under urgency by tomorrow afternoon.

Prime Minister John Key has ruled out any animal testing on legal high products.

Women earn less than men because they are seen as pushovers when they don't negotiate hard and are seen as "ball-breakers" when they do, a psychologist says.

Wanaka traders threw open their doors this Easter after being secretly told there would be no Labour inspectors around to catch them, it's been reported.

Legislators in New Hampshire are voting to repeal a law dating back to 1791 that outlaws adultery.