Licensing tobacco retailers and turning cigarette packs into plain packages bearing only health warnings is among five new proposals to reduce smoking.

A study indicates 70 per cent of parents who abuse their children were abused themselves.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia and Labour's Annette King are calling for action over a report slamming New Zealand's treatment of children.

Rangitoto College's decision to ban future school balls draws a strong response from nzherald.co.nz readers.

Rangitoto College "blackmailed" and "bullied" students for knowledge of planned after-balls, parents say.

Parents may organise their own ball for Rangitoto students if the school cancels next year's ball.

A Sri Lankan reporter has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for writing articles critical of the government's military operations.

New Zealand's biggest secondary school bans school balls after parents helped students to organise a boozy after-ball function.

The man behind a new website that names and shames bad debtors has been revealed as a convicted money launderer.

Mother says she cried for two hours after being told she could stay in the country.

Five Kelston Boys' High 1st XV players suspended after a schoolboy rugby brawl will confess their sins at a school assembly.

Suspensions lifted but school's BOT orders those involved to undergo anger management courses.

Demands for second opinion would have added to claimants' trauma, says critic.

Prime Minister John Key believes his response to the overwhelming "no" vote in the smacking law referendum will give people "comfort".