Thousands of people could be helped into long-term employment via a new initiative.

An independent review at the Ministry for Social Development had been announced.

The flooding in Bay of Plenty has bee classified as "medium-scale adverse event".

Almost 170 children were found to be abused in state care during five years.

Meanwhile, a plan to require all NGOs to give up their private data has been criticised.

Taxpayers spent $1m on lawyers before settling abuse claims for a fraction of this cost.

Event slammed by the Backbone Collective, as "too little too late".

Oriwa Kemp is pregnant again, just months after CYF removed a child from her care at birth.

Overhaul of the child protection laws puts emphasis on placing children in a safe, loving home.

Top marketing graduate Kyal Little is still looking for a job 18 months after graduating - because he hasn't yet found an employer

Police say it's not unusual for them to prosecute beggars who are asking for money but don't need it. The comment comes after a Hastings

A Glen Innes tenant battling against eviction from her former state house has put a surprising argument to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Finance minister Steven Joyce says socials bonds work a bit like the role of private investors in PPP infrastructure schemes.

A second wife in a polygamous may be regarded as a solo parent and entitled to a solo-parent benefit.

WHAT ARE WE DOING? Tauranga Homelessness Steering Group presented findings and plans to city councillors on how to tackle the wicked

Prominent Kiwis have banded together to demand an independent inquiry into the claims of sexual and physical abuse of children in state care.

An inquiry into the abuse of children and others in state care to ensure the mistakes of the past are not being repeated would surely do no harm.

Hawke's Bay is facing a housing crisis with moteliers saying dozens of people squeezed out of emergency motel accommodation due to

Police were called after school holiday programme staff noticed a man talking to a child in the playground.

How likely young New Zealanders are to be "on track" at age 21 has been mapped using a powerful government database.

Almost 100 young people will get free restricted licences in Taumarunui, getting them off the street and into employment. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A 71-year-old man on the waiting list for a state house said he was told to "live in his car and then call back" to speed up the process of getting a home.

Quake-affected businesses in Wellington and Hurunui have been given a boost with the announcement that support subsidies will be extended.

WATCH: Families are facing a bleak Christmas in cramped motel rooms that are costing taxpayers thousands of dollars each week.

The new State Services Commissioner was once one of the highest paid public servants but is now promising a "conservative approach" to pay rises for chief executives.

Critics have slammed the Ministry of Social Development for rejecting a clause to establish special family violence leave saying they were "disappointed" and "saddened" by the decision.

Prosecution prompted by double murder in Ashburton Winz office sees Ministry of Social Development convicted for failing to protect its staff.

The Ministry of Social Development is awaiting sentencing on breach of health and safety legislation after the 2014 Ashburton Work and Income office killings.

Prime Minister John Key is resisting growing pressure to further investigate historical child abuse in state care.

COMMENT: Note to Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley: Try stopping being a politician for a minute, and just listen.