Parliament will begin its debate on plain packaging for tobacco early next year, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia has confirmed.

As a teenager, there is a huge pressure to accept the cool pragmatism of "this is how it is" when it comes to binge drinking, writes Verity Johnson.

Editorial: What is it about Hollywood that causes the Government to go weak at the knees?

Wellington lawyer John Edwards will replace Marie Shroff as the New Zealand's third Privacy Commissioner.

More trains and buses will be running in Auckland when new drinking laws begin next week.

Editorial: Regulation appeals to governments because it is the easiest response to a problem. But each affects people's freedom in some way.

Some bars' and restaurants' "happy hour" promotions will be outlawed under alcohol reforms which come into force next month.

A bill paving the way for SkyCity's $402m convention centre has passed its final reading in Parliament, but Labour says they will not be bound by the 'shonky' deal.

Information about the harm caused by the SkyCity convention centre deal was withheld because it was considered commercially sensitive, official papers show.

With a swing of his powerful arm, a prison guard landed a wicked-looking cane on a dummy wearing the white uniform of convicts in Brunei.

Parliament will urgently pass a law validating the oaths of returning police officers, before any of their actions since returning can be called into question.

Editorial: A review of burial laws by the Law Commission has led to drastic and largely unnecessary recommendations.

Each night, people in apartments all over New York City are cleaning up, putting out fresh towels and clearing out.

Labour MP David Shearer will continue to push for free breakfasts and lunches in poorer schools despite no longer being leader of his party.

Approval for smoking in SkyCity's high-roller lounge may be stubbed out after it was challenged in the High Court.

A major law change which will introduce compulsory security screening of up to 376,000 people working with children has been unanimously backed in Parliament.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce's "arm twisting" of would-be participants in a campaign fighting for lower internet prices is linked to the Government's "shabby deal" over ultra-fast broadband with network company Chorus, said Mr Cunliffe.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has confirmed he persuaded would-be participants in a campaign fighting for lower internet prices not to take part.

Telecommunications Users association head Paul Brislen and Chorus chief executive Mark Ratcliffe present both sides of the internet pricing debate.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the new measures in compulsory screening as part of a wider package aimed at addressing child abuse.

An Auckland employer is accused of exploiting migrant workers who claim they were not paid and were housed in city offices.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she will need some convincing over sweeping changes made in an effort to stop child abuse and death in New Zealand.

Wide-ranging restraining orders will soon be in use to keep suspected child abusers away from children for up to 10 years.

Disability advocates have warned the Government it could take years to regain their trust

A bill which would allow a young New Zealander to have the names of both of her mothers on her birth certificate has passed its first hurdle in Parliament tonight.

When politicians talk about making the labour market more flexible, it means ensuring that the demand and supply of labour determines the wage rate. writes Peter Lyons.