The GCSB never reported their inability to read and they didn't ask politicians to change or "clarify" the legislation, writes John Minto. For 10 years they simply ignored it and only came unstuck

In front of Judge Anne Kiernan sit two piles of case files, in a clear file, full of notes, submissions and police summaries.

Prison has its place, but there are questions over how well it works, says Sir Grant Hammond, judge and president of the Law Commission.

As Ashish Macwan walked into the Auckland District Court to be sentenced over causing the death of his 3-year-old, he was expecting the worst.

New Zealand First will support law changes allowing the GCSB to spy on Kiwis, giving the Government a comfortable majority on the controversial legislation.

Does equality require same sex marriage? Vote and have your say. Gay unions are inherently different, writes one contributor, while another argues that all love deserves respect.

A complaint about an anti-gay marriage brochure, criticised as being "extraordinarily offensive", has been dismissed by the country's advertising watchdog.

Culturally important substances such as kava could be captured by a law change which aims to stamp out harmful synthetic drugs, MPs have told Parliament.

Editorial: Any curb on freedom of speech is a serious step that should never be taken without good reason.

New iwi-run television stations could be part of the broadcasting landscape once pending legislation is passed, says the chairman of the organisation which will control Crown-allocated spectrum.

Police are considering trying to ban gang patches in New Brighton, Christchurch, after a flare up between gang members and ongoing intimidation.

"Who wins when the Auckland Council and the Government do not agree on the approach to affordable housing?" asks Mai Chen. "Or when Auckland's unitary plan should take effect?"

Revenue Minister and United Future leader Peter Dunne suffered a second setback less than 24 hours after his carpark tax was dumped.

Three out of four people back a law change to allow "correctional" smacking of children, a poll has found - but a child advocacy group says smacking is still unacceptable.

A genuinely secular state has no place in the finery and stresses of the weird and often wonderful ritual of a wedding, writes Toby Manhire.

Join us as we follow tonight's online debate on Louisa Wall's marriage equality bill.

In a bid to combat homophobia, a new ad campaign has been launched in Quebec asking readers "How open are you?"

After months of emotional submissions and some bitter protest, a bill to legalise same-sex marriage appears likely to pass another hurdle.

Sue Kedgley looks at the Government's decision to remove charter schools and partially privatised state-owned enterprises from coverage of the Official Information Act.

The government administration select committee report to Parliament recommends the passing of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill with certain amendments.

The unresolved issue of Maori water rights may yet have an impact on Mighty River's future operating costs.