The new child protection system will bring teachers, doctors and social services together to protect each of New Zealand's 20,000 to 30,000 most vulnerable children.

Food programmes for hungry Kiwi schoolchildren may soon get a boost from the Government to top off an overwhelming public response to recent media appeals.

Teens among the first "guinea pigs" for a new money management system for welfare say they get enough for food - but not for transport, baby supplies and medical costs.

Former MP Sue Bradford and four others will appear in court on Friday after a protest action at the Ministry of Social Development's Auckland regional office today.

Ministers agree a cross-party approach to address the issue of deaths from sniffing butane-based solvents is needed, but are passing the buck on who should lead it.

Toby Manhire says slash a parent's benefit and you hurt their children - children who, chances are, already have it extremely tough. To argue otherwise is fantasyland.

The Government has done nothing to stop a "lost generation" of youths from killing themselves by sniffing butane-based solvents, the Chief Coroner says.

Dr Andrew Cardow says Paula Bennett appears to be working under the belief that beneficiaries do not have the wherewithal to decide what is best for their children.

Editorial: Early education has not been a priority for this Government. But having made it compulsory for beneficiaries National will find it hard to argue against wider compulsion.

A new report shows all people who were receiving a benefit from June last year would cost a total of $78 billion over their life-times if they stayed on a benefit.

Early childhood experts are in shock after a government decision to make education compulsory from the age of 3 for children of welfare beneficiaries.

Drug testing of beneficiaries will come into force next year, with penalties for those who fail tests.

Drug counsellor says it's easier to claim addiction than to get a job.