At a first glance, Housing Minister Nick Smith's announcement of a warrant-of-fitness scheme on state homes seemed like a step forward that was as significant as it was welcome.

In 1998, journalist Barbara Ehrenreich decided to see if she could get by working unskilled, low-wage jobs, a tradition dating back to George Orwell and Jack London.

The combined wealth of the 85 richest people in the world is the same as the combined wealth of the world's poorest 3.5 billion, writes Toby Manhire.

Pope Francis challenged business leaders assembled in Davos today to do more for the poor and ensure 'humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.'

The measurement of child poverty is complex, hard to understand and has become a highly polarised matter, says John Dew.

Next year is election year and all the parties have an opportunity to show us their commitment to children, writes Russell Wills, Children's Commissioner.

The Prime Minister's reaction to the latest survey of child poverty was predictable but misguided. It is not just about jobs.

Time magazine has named Pope Francis its person of the year, saying that in nine months in office the head of the Catholic Church had become a new voice of conscience.

Editorial: The Children's Commissioner has done well to raise independent funds for an annual report on child poverty, less well in publicising its first year's findings.

A new report on child poverty in New Zealand has been applauded by groups who have criticised the Government for failing to thoroughly monitor the issue itself.

Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills wants Kiwis to shift support from older, middle-income families to give more to our youngest and poorest children.

Inequality in New Zealand is rising. This is a fact. Damien Grant looks into it.

Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills has decided to publish his own annual stocktake of child poverty after the Govt spurned his call to publish official measures and targets.

A grim picture of hard times in the lucky country has emerged in a series of new reports on poverty, revealing a nation that welfare agencies say is splitting into two Australias.

Andrew Mexted-Bragg is trading his Audi for the bus and leaving a luxury inner-city apartment to share a flat with four other people.

Let's start with the numbers. They aren't mine. They come from a recently published Ministry of Social Development "factsheet".

Beggars who are considered intimidating or to be causing a nuisance will be banned from Auckland's streets under a bylaw passed by Auckland Council.

Squeegee bandits, those pesky people who clean car windscreens at busy intersections are alive and well on the streets of Auckland.

"Be content with what you have". That's just one of the slogans on a mural at the Cannons Creek Four Square.

Richard Balcombe-Langridge, like many people, quite likes Bentleys. He's a fan of the Rolls Royce, too.

Just over half of voters support extending Working for Families in-work tax credits of at least $60 a week to beneficiaries.