The Ministry of Social Development may have to pay millions to make Work and Income offices safer for staff.

A convicted fraudster and "bachelorette" who hoped to steal Art Green's heart has admitted ripping off taxpayers for more than $20,000.

A new study by Victoria University student Alicia Sudden says Work and Income is pushing many beneficiaries into jobs that don't last.

Beneficiaries received more than $120 million in advance benefit payments last year for essential costs such as schooling and health care.

The Ministry of Health has defended its stance on refusing to fund a Maori safe-sleeping device.

At least 2 per cent of Housing New Zealand tenants are not eligible to live in a state house.

Unemployment benefit rolls have dropped to a seven-year low in Auckland, but are now rising again in 10 of New Zealand's 14 other regions.

A highly regarded Pacific anti-violence agency has been closed down amidst concerns about using taxpayers' money to fund an ambition to "go global".

Hidden homelessness campaigners are scratching out messages of housing desperation the old-school way.

A staffer working for Child, Youth and Family started a sexual relationship with a boy in the teen unit where she worked.

A bouncer who was told she was "worthless" and threatened with gang action from two WINZ workers says dealing with verbally abusive customers has become commonplace.

But bar owner says the two Ministry of Social Development workers who abused his staff won't be welcome back.

Better sharing of information between state agencies may have prevented the death of a child in a poorly-maintained state house, says Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

A man abused as a ward of the state 25 years ago is incensed about the $12,000 compensation offer made to him, saying it feels 'like a kick in the guts'.

Tupua Urlich was just 17 when the state ended its care for him.

A spend of more than $360,000 on pay television subscriptions by Government departments has been criticised by Labour.

Some agencies are expected to close in a radical revamp of social service funding unveiled by Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

More than 860 victims who were abused while in state care have been given the option of a fast-track settlement.

Hine felt the centre was not a good fit for her son, and that they didn't understand her culture. Her boy would cry every day when she dropped him off.

Sexual violence survivor advocate Dr Kim McGregor has resigned from the agency because its board has decided to narrow its focus.

Pressure to broaden the use of identification numbers attached to preschoolers has concerned the Privacy Commissioner.

An 8-year-old Manurewa boy is one of 11,000 disabled children to lose a welfare benefit, even though his asthma is so bad that he missed one in every four school days.

The tragic events in the Winz office in Ashburton last September have resulted in action before the Courts. The obvious being the alleged offender facing multiple criminal charges, including murder.

Victims of the Ashburton Winz shooting and their families could be in line to receive payouts after one Crown agency prosecuted another.

If you want a state house with a view, forget it. Beautiful views are banned in a draft new Government policy. Double garages and decks are out, too.

An Auckland man could end up swapping his job at the Ministry of Social Development for a one-way ticket to Mars.